Read Psalm 73:4-9. 4For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. 5They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. 6Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. 7Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. 8They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. 9They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.
Asaph’s description of the arrogant and their prosperity takes on an almost comedic flavor – their eyes swell through fatness. And yet their malice and oppression are no laughing matter.
In a very real way Asaph is not only describing the worst of the worst, but in reality isn’t he describing the pursuit of every heart? No pain until death, a fit body, no troubles, distracted by follies, scoffing at truth, and a strutting tongue, taking credit for what has been handed to them. Isn’t Asaph describing the default of us all apart from Christ?
But with Christ we can reject this prosperity gospel. In Christ we can ask the hard questions about the privileged as well as the hard questions about ourselves. Do we really deserve better? What are we actually entitled to? Is this life meant to be pleasure or pain? Will the wicked get away with it?
The cross of Christ answers all these questions and more.
To live is Christ means living with all the biggest questions of life already answered by Jesus, his life and death. Now trusting those answers is what remains.
Prayer. Jesus, your cross answers all the questions of my heart, and gives me a perspective on others and my own heart. Teach me to live without entitlement and to trust your ways even when they feel unfair to me.
To Live is Christ 