I have noticed that the past few times that Madalyn comes back over to my house from her mom’s she is a bit of a stinker. I wonder why because her and I have a good relationship.

She is starting to say things like, I want to be with my mommy, forever. She does some kicking, screaming, and hitting. Basically she throws a fit.

The first part of that statement I understand and I deal with by addressing it with a, I know and you will see her soon. But the forever part throws me for a loop. I can’t figure where she is coming up with that. I don’t use that word, if rarely because I don’t believe in to many absolutes but anyhow I can’t even think how her mom may be using it.

Is this just something that kids pick up? It does not take long for her to warm up to me when she is in one of these moods, all it usually takes is a good tickle and she is happy as can be.

There are other verbal things she is doing that seem similar and they usually are a negative towards me. Maybe I am being too sensitive and I am scared that she may resent me for not being able to see her mom, which is not my fault. Unfortunately her mom doesn’t spend all the time she could with her daughter. She often times has things to do and\or says she emotionally can’t handle it. This is fine with me because I live for my little girl but she does miss her mom and I hope that she doesn’t view me as the bad guy. I just want to provide a consistent, stable, and loving atmosphere for her.

I don’t know what to do… I just want Madalyn to be okay.

The Brown family serves God every day. Mr. and Mrs. Brown live godly and have an excellent reputation in the community. They have been faithful to their marriage vows for 20 years. Every Sunday morning, without fail, the Brown family can be seen, Bibles in hand, getting into their car to go to church.

The Greens, who are neighbors of the Browns, live day to day without thought of God. The present “Mrs. Green” is Mr. Green’s fourth wife in 20 years as he easily forgets his vows when he finds someone “younger and prettier”. The neighbors all know that Mr. and Mrs. Green spend every Saturday night at bars and swingers’ clubs. On Sundays, they get up late, eat brunch and read the paper.

The Browns live in a small ranch house, while the Greens live in a spacious two story house. The Browns drive an old Chevy Impala. The Greens cruise through the neighborhood in a new Rolls Royce. Mr. Brown works at a machine shop. Mr. Green is president of the local bank. The Browns struggle to pay their children’s frequent hospital bills. The Green’s children are exceptionally healthy.

The Browns wonder, “If godliness pays, why do the wicked prosper?” The Greens ask, “We are getting along better than those who are Christians. Why do we need God?” Let’s turn to Psalms 73 to answer their questions.

A Waste of Time?

Asaph was a man wholly devoted to God. David appointed him to be the chief of the musicians who played before the ark of God (1 Chron. 16:5,7,37). Not only did Asaph play music, but as a prophet, he wrote inspired songs (2 Chron 29:30; see Psalms 50, 73-83). However, this righteous man almost slipped away from God. Psalms 73 records his mental anguish as he viewed the world around him. His understanding of God was that He was good to the pure in heart (vs. 1). But, he observed the wicked prospering and he wondered if this was really true.

It seemed to Asaph that the wicked did not have the problems of the righteous. Since they were not plagued, they just sinned more. They even defied God, saying, “How does God know what we are doing?” All the while, it appeared to Asaph that they “have more than heart could wish.” (vs. 4-12)

As Asaph meditated on what he saw, he had serious doubts about where his godly life was getting him. He thought, “If the wicked prosper, righteousness is a waste of time. Why am I keeping my heart pure and my hands clean? Why am I restricting myself by God’s laws? My devotion to God is all in vain.” (vs. 13-14).

It Is Good to Draw Near

After painfully wresting with his doubts for some time, Asaph finally discovered the answer to his problem. He was troubled until he came into the sanctuary of God (vs. 16-17). He finally realized that life must be viewed from the standpoint of God and eternity rather than the standpoint of man and time.

When Asaph went to the sanctuary of God and looked at the wicked through God’s eyes, he saw a far different scene. Through human eyes, the prosperity of the wicked seemed endless. But, their prosperity only lasted for a blink of an eye in the sight of an eternal God.

Those with no regard for God live on “slippery places” with one foot in hell and the other on a banana peel. They are ready to be cast down to destruction and become a desolation in a moment. It is as if the Lord is taking a short nap. When He “wakes up” the wicked will receive their just desserts (vs. 18-20).

Once Asaph saw life from God’s perspective, he was grieved that he had ever doubted the value of serving God. He realized the great blessings that come from serving God-guidance in this life and then glory in the one to come. He asked, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.” God was his strength and his portion (vs. 21-27).

Through the resolving of his doubts, Asaph’s faith became stronger. He ended his psalm by reaffirming the truth that he understood before he wavered, “It is good for me to draw near to God.” (vs 28)

Living Like the Browns or the Greens?

Unfortunately, in our land of abundant blessings, more and more families are living like the Greens. Is your family one of them? Do you have any regard for his moral law? Do you set aside any time to study His Word and worship Him? Or are you deceived by your material prosperity, thinking all is well, feeling no need for God, satisfied with life without Him? You may think that you are prospering without God. But, your brief pleasure here will be but a dim memory in an eternal hell.

You need to live like the Browns. You need to live the life of a Christian. Your life may be full of problems. But, even so, the guidance God will give you through His Word will make your life happier than you’ve ever dreamed. And then afterward, God will receive you into glory. Believe it, my friend, God will reward those who seek Him (Heb 11:6).