Psalm 73 is a wonderful illustration of the struggle of faith.
The author is one of God’s people. But trouble comes to him when he begins to look around at the rich and powerful. How easy their lives seem! They do not worry about money. They have plenty to eat and so are healthy and strong. Their lives are filled with fine things, yet they don’t work very hard. What is more, they are filled with pride. They don’t think about God or give anyone else credit or help. They act like they are self-created creatures, or little gods. This causes the psalmist to question his faith and devotion to God. He wonders, "Why follow God and try to live up to him when these others ignore him and yet prosper?" His life is full of trouble.
But then he pulls back and looks at the destination that lies at the end of their life’s road. Their lives don’t end well, but badly. Their relationships come apart. They are not as happy as they appear. God will not be mocked. He comes to his senses. He realizes that the way of God is the way of happiness. He concludes with these words which are worth paying close attention to.
23 Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. 24 You will keep on guiding 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. 27 But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28 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. (Psalm 73:23-28, NLT)
First, he affirms that his life is rooted in God’s covenant promises. He belongs to God. He is God’s and God is his. God is close, guiding, leading, and comforting. There is no comparison between the good things of the earth and the goodness of God. All else pales. What is the best and greatest thing? To be near to God. God is the highest good, the epitome of beauty, and the truest truth. He is the reason we were created, from him and for him we live and move and have our being.
David puts it this way in Psalm 27:4:
"The one thing I ask of the LORD – the thing I seek most – is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple." (NLT)
Nothing is better than to be near to God, to think about him, to know him, to love him and take joy in him. Everything else--including others' wealth and prosperity--pales in comparison.