Joy Bombs in the Psalms – Attitude Edition! | Isaiah 64:8, Psalm 73

You and I are God’s masterpieces. He has a special plan for your life and mine.

I love the Psalmist, Asaph. He is going to give himself an attitude adjustment in the Psalm’s today, but once again, you and I are going to see how a person has to be willing for the adjustment to happen. I want to be clay in the hands of the potter, my heavenly Father, who only means everything for my good and his glory. He uses every scrap of clay in our lives to make that happen. So join me now, in Psalm 73.

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Transcription:

Have you ever made something out of clay in art class and maybe you were like me, you couldn’t wait for it to be fired in the kiln? And then you got to paint it with that glossy, beautiful paint. And my art was never very good, but it was mine. It makes me think of Isaiah 64 verse eight in the Bible,

And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.

Yes, you and I are God’s masterpieces. He has a special plan for your life and mine. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose. Hi, I’m Erica, and it’s Friday on the Bible for Busy People. And you know what that means? It’s time for Joy Bombs in the Psalms. So, let’s get ready. We’re going to dive right into Psalm 73, and I love this Psalmist, his name is Asaph. He is going to give himself an attitude adjustment. But once again, you and I are going to see how a person has to be willing for the adjustment to happen. I want to be clay in the hands of the potter. My heavenly Father, who only means everything for my good and his glory. He uses every scrap of clay in our lives to make that happen. So join me now in Psalm 73 verse one.

Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. 6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. 7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? 14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. 16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!

Have you ever felt like Asaph, comparing yourself to others? They don’t suffer. They don’t have problems. Lord, why does everything happen to me? Oh, this has been me and I have needed an attitude adjustment. Many times I’ve needed to say, Lord, I’m starting here. Thank you for this cup of coffee. Lord, thank you for a roof over my head, for a cool place to sleep when it’s hot outside, and a warm place to sleep when it’s cold outside. So often your attitude is altered by gratitude. Gratitude for me is like taking the trash out. Okay? It’s like I’m going to stop looking over there and look at all of the blessings that I’m surrounded with. Oh Lord, give us an attitude of gratitude, right? So, here’s the turning point in Asaph’s psalm. We’re going to pick it up in verse 17 as we watch God adjust his attitude because he gave God his heart that was willing to be adjusted. That’s all we got to do. Verse 17 now.

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. 20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. 21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.

Have you felt like that? I have. Even lately.

I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. 23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

That is the foundation of Asaph’s life and the foundation of your life and my life. Verse 27 now.

Those who desert him will perish for you, destroy those who abandon you. But as for me,

See now he’s remembering all the blessings.

But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

What an attitude adjustment from Asaph. God gave him a new perspective and he is the same God. Asaph’s God, is the same God, willing to adjust my attitude and yours. We just have to open our hands and open our hearts. And just like I climbed on that chiropractic table to get my hip adjusted, and suddenly I felt physically better, you and I are going to feel better when God adjusts our attitudes. He is so good to us. He is so willing to help. Alright, until next time, you are really loved. We got this, because God’s got us.

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