"The Worst Day Ever" -- part 1

Think about the worst day you ever had...

• Starts out, you fell out of bed
• Then, you stub your toe
• Your breakfast went cold
• Your company cancels

Nothing seems to be going right! Everything is out of control! Then you look at the news: our banks are failing, auto makers going bankrupt, scammers like Abramoff stealing peoples' life savings, not to mention the seeming undending War on Terror. Totally out of control!

So what can we do about it?

I would like to offer three answers:

First, we could do what a lot of folks in the TV and media do, namely moan and groan and complain about how bad things are. This "answer" only tends to make things worse. Indeed, we have a Society of Complaint. We gripe and like to have our way and wonder why others "have it better." Furthermore, we want our "rights," our "piece of the pie," and we want it RIGHT NOW! It's the fast-food, McDonald's culture.

In this first part of "The Worst Day Ever" series, I would like to talk a bit about Asaph. You may be scratching your head wondering who exactly Asaph is, but I can guarantee that you have probably read one of his Psalms (there are 12 of them). He was the chief musician during David's time. On the saurface, it seems like he must have been a godly man, to have been placed in such a high position, to have written so many psalms that were sung by so many people for 3000 years - surely such a man had no trials or complaints - right?

That being said, lets look at Psalm 73. Verse 1 says "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart." Nice sentiment, and one I agree with, but what is the substance behind it?

In verses 2 and 3, Asaph confesses his guilt to the Lord, because he was envious of wealthy people. Waitasec! The chief musician of Israel, the Hillsong of the ancient world, committing one of the seven deadly sins!

Then he goes on in verses 4 through 12 to list all the things that make him mad about them. Basically, it's the same complaint that is common today: the rich get richer and don't suffer, don't have a care in the world.

Then in verses 13 and 14, Asaph has a real pity party! He says he has kept himself pure for no reason at all; he gets punished daily, yet the rich are carefree! Keep in mind, this is the chief musician, someone comparable to Jeremy Camp or Chris Tomlin today. And to add insult to injury, in verses 15 and 16, Asaph actually mouths off to God! If any of today's musicians spoke like this, they would surely be vilified.

But praise be to God for He is rich in mercy and slow to anger. Asaph doesn't stop and content himself with his envy, pity, bitterness, and hard feelings toward God. He returns to God, represented by the sanctaury, to try to make it right. The Lord showed Asaph the final condition of all those who trust in their wealth and themselves rather than in the Almighty God whose name is to be forever praised. Their seeming riches today will be destroyed suddenly.

In verses 21-22, Asaph repents before God, admitting he was senseless and ignorant as a brute beast. But yet, in spite of all these misfailings, God never left Asaph! In the same way, He will NEVER leave you either, if you admit your guilt and turn to the Lord for salvation and deliverance. Then He will be for you, as He was for Asaph, your Refuge, your Counsel, your Desire, the Strength of your heart, and your Portion forever. I pray He may become those things for you today.

I will be posting a link to this new sermon series on my website, Unrapped Ministries. There are many additional resources for Christians there, both free and paid. Please check it out and drop me a line!

In His Service,

Rev. randy