Leaving the pity party behind, part II

We mentioned in passing that verse 17 of our psalm had another action item for us; here's another way for us to leave the pity party behind:

till I entered the sanctuary of God;
    then I understood their final destiny. (Psalm 73:17)

Asaph says to take time to meet with God and with His people. He didn't get his full answer; he didn't get things sorted out until he went into the sanctuary of God. Then he understood the end of the wicked - he understood that God will bring them to judgment. The Hebrew word translated sanctuary refers to the tabernacle (later on, that would be the temple) where God would show His holiness and His comforting presence. 

Asaph doesn't tell us about his epiphany. He doesn't clue us in on what scripture helped, or if someone (a priest or other godly person) said something that helped him. But he says he got his muddled thinking cleared up by meeting with God.

Some scholars have interpreted the sanctuary as referring to God's Word, because the scrolls were stored in the sanctuary. That may be true, but it's no cause for argument. We can all agree that we need God's Word to get our Father's perspective on how to deal with obstacles, trials, and heartaches of life. We truly need private time in the Word, and we need time in prayer. We can ask the Spirit to help us and give us understanding of what we study. We must take time to meet with God in His holy place, and within our hearts, too, as they are His throne.

God's sanctuary is also the place where the people gathered for worship. The scholars tell us that Asaph might have been avoiding gathering with others for worship. Being isolated feeds depression, and makes for pity-parties! We should not keep to ourselves when we are struggling - get to the sanctuary!

Asaph also gained perspective on death, and on the judgment of the wicked (verses 18-22). He saw that the sinners, who were proud, defiant, and comfortable in their powerful positions, were actually in slippery places! 

Surely you place them on slippery ground;
    you cast them down to ruin. (v. 18)

These people were like a man or woman walking along without a care, and then they step on a patch of ice, or a fruit peel (or a Lego piece) and go crashing to the ground. It may seem to everyone that God is not noticing - but Asaph says the wicked will be destroyed in a flash. 

How suddenly are they destroyed,
    completely swept away by terrors! (v. 19)

If there is one thing that is abundantly clear in our Bible, it's that no one will escape death and judgment. We must keep eternity in mind, and not be like senseless beasts. 

And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment,  (Hebrews 9:27)

So, then, how do we leave the pity party behind us? Realize we are responsible to others for what we say and do, take time to think biblically before we "leap," meet with God and learn from Him, and keep eternity in mind.