In this series, we are considering our journey from doubt to faith. This isn’t a journey we make only once in life—each time it comes up, we get to fight and learn from it. On Monday we looked at an Old Testament character named Asaph, a prominent worship leader, both for David in the tent of meeting and for Solomon in the Temple. He had many high points but he had low ones, too. As a worship leader, you might think he wouldn’t have doubts, but that’s not the case at all. He was disillusioned by the way things fell apart in Israel, leading to a divided Kingdom. His brother was assassinated by agents of Solomon’s regime after Solomon descended into lust, idolatry and greed. Not only that, but he witnessed the destruction of the temple. In today’s passage, let’s take up where we left off and see how both you and I can identify with Asaph:

They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. (Psa. 73:4-14)

Have you ever felt like this? I sure have! I try to stay out of trouble, but I know there’s lots of people who seem a lot less righteous than me, but who seem to have everything going their way. They don’t have money problems; they don’t have health problems; they do whatever they want and take advantage of others, yet God often seems to let them get away with it! I get what Asaph went through. He seems to be crying out, “Life is easier for ungodly wicked people than it is for me!” At this point in the Psalm, Asaph reaches a low point: “Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.”

As we struggle to understand why the world is the way it is and why God is the way He is, there eventually comes a bottoming out. We not only seem to lose faith, but we lose hope, too. On Friday, we’ll continue our travels with Asaph on his journey from doubt to faith. But for today, I want to encourage you that there is indeed hope for your situation. Doubt will always come, but faith will come too. Stay on the road and don’t chicken out...Jesus knows what He's doing!