When God Realigns Our Hearts
October 7, 2026
Praying Friends,
Have you ever had an envious heart: looking at what others have, seeing where others are going, or noticing the ease with which others live, and getting that ugly feeling inside?
In Psalm 73, another wisdom psalm, the writer was dealing with this very thing. He had lost his godly perspective on life. He was looking at the prosperity of others instead of focusing on God's goodness and grace. It’s such an easy thing to do.
He begins by stating how he had almost lost his way: “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold” (Psalm 73:2 NIV). He was on the slippery slope to disaster.
He describes how he looked at the prosperity of the wicked (v. 3). He saw their luxurious lifestyle (v. 4), and their seeming avoidance of difficulty (v. 5). Their hearts were filled with pride (v. 6), they practiced violence (v6), they had everything they wanted (v. 7), and even boasted against God (v. 11).
He could not understand how the ungodly seemed to be so successful; his perspective was skewed as he considered how they lived the “American Dream” while God’s people struggled and suffered.
His heart was filled with envy and jealousy.
Then there came a critical turning point when everything came into proper focus. The author says, “Till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny” (Psalm 73:17). He was confused by their frivolous lifestyle, but when he spent time in the presence of God, everything started to make sense.
God’s presence is the place where our viewpoints become aligned with His.
Things are not always as they appear. When we begin to see things from God's vantage point, we will gain a fresh perspective on life. We will see the difference between living for temporary things as opposed to eternal things (v. 17).
When we live for material worldly things, we are living to please ourselves. We seek to make ourselves comfortable at any cost. We don’t consider the values of God. On the other hand, when our lives are lived with eternity in view, we live to please God over ourselves. We seek His will above our own will, and thus bring joy to God’s heart.
This fresh perspective is so necessary in our affluent society.
Following this experience with God, the psalmist made a sincere confession. He said, “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you” (Psalm 73:21-22).
He recognized that his heart and mind were wrong, and his waywardness led to bitterness and unbecoming behavior before God. What started as a wrong outlook led to wrong values, which would end in wrong conduct. This confession before God was necessary before he could move forward in his spiritual journey.
Whenever sin comes into a believer’s life, confession brings back the closeness that was lost. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
As the psalmist leaves the sanctuary, he makes the startling realization that God was with him all the time. Even as he walked through the dark season of sin, God was present, holding him. He said, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23).
He also learned that God was directing his path and leading him upward and onward. He said, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory” (Psalm 73:24).
As with the psalmist, our lives are not a straight, linear, upward line, but rather a route of ups and downs, a windy path that takes an ascending direction. He says that it is a life that ends in “glory” (v. 24).
Our God, our loving Father, is leading us to Himself.
This was a cause for grateful thanksgiving and full dependence: “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds” (Psalm 73:28).
As we pray today for prodigals and for revival among us, may we keep our eyes on Him.
Warm regards,
Bryan and Rachel
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