Heavenly Father, when we don’t know how to voice our feelings, the Scriptures give us words. Today we are grateful for Asaph’s story (Psalm 73)—his honesty, grace-fueled repentance, and reconnection with you. Though our circumstances are different from his, sometimes we feel just like Asaph did: “My heart grew bitter and I was torn up inside. I acted foolishly—like I didn’t know you. I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you—like a brute beast” (Paraphrase of Ps.73:21-22)
When our fellowship with you gets stressed, challenged, or displaced—we too can think, speak, and act like spiritual orphans. We forget you are our loving, sovereign, merciful Father. We grow anxious and critical, whine more than we worship, and complain quicker and stress longer. We become a “cold mess”—spiritually chilly, radioactive with a bad attitude, in need of restorative grace.
Then, by your Spirit’s convicting work, we start our way back to Gospel-sanity. “Yet I still belong to you, Abba. You hold my right hand. You’re guiding me with your counsel, in route to a glorious destiny” (Ps.73:23-24). Thank you for reminding us of who you are and what we have in Jesus. You hold us with a grip of grace, are shepherding us, and will take us all the way Home. Hallelujah!
What does Gospel-sanity look like, Abba? Again, Asaph helps us: “What makes heaven heavenly? You, Abba. I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak; but you are my hear-strength, portion, and treasure. You are mine and I am yours” (Ps.73:25-26). Father, you are all we want and more than we need. You never guaranteed us perfect health or easy circumstances; but you have given us yourself, the righteousness of Jesus, and a perfect future. That’s all we need. So Very Amen.