As I write this blog today, my heart is broken for those who have worked so hard throughout their lives and careers, who have planned well for their retirement; and yet, the very thing that they need the most, many do not have; an eternal life un-retirement plan. Too many unsaved people think that this life is all that there is. When we die, we just cease to exist into nothingness; an eternal state of unconsciousness or oblivion. What a crock from the devil. That’s a lie that stems from evolution and the so called randomness of our existence. The truth is, we’re created in God’s image and likeness. We’re going to live forever in one of two places, heaven or hell.
As many of you know, in my younger years I wanted to be a cop, but decided to answer the call of God on my life to be a pastor. This decision was life changing to say the least. As I pursued the ministry, married, and built a family; my desire to be in law enforcement was fading; until the Lord opened a door for me to become a police chaplain at the police department in the city where I was pastoring. This lead to a late stent in the academy (age 40), which led to a short career as a reserve officer/chaplain. After resigning, I returned to police chaplaincy service where I remain to this day. My time as a cop was as rewarding as it was interesting. I have many stories of things that I did and people that I interacted with. It was a gift from God.
During my time in law enforcement, which continues today, but not as an officer, I have met and interacted with many an officer or fire fighter who have done well for themselves financially. They have built nice portfolios for themselves over the years that will take them, and/or their spouses, well into their golden years with security and sustenance; if all things remain as they are. A financial collapse will dissolve retirement plans overnight along with everything else financial. However, putting off the apocalypse for a moment, I thought it prudent to look at the seeming prosperity of those who don’t know Jesus, yet who have padded their financials substantially. In the end, what does it really get them in the long run?
In the OT, King David assigned a number of Levitical priests to the task of leading worship in the temple choir and such. (1 Chronicles 6:31,32) Asaph was one of these men. (1 Chronicles 6:39) He and David were both skilled musicians. (2 Chronicles 29:30) Asaph wrote Psalm 50, 73-83, which are called the ‘Psalms of Asaph’ because his name appears in the superscription at the head of those psalms. He was also a ‘seer’ or prophet.
In Psalm 73, Asaph describes and contrasts the tragedy of the wicked against the blessing of those who trust in God. I felt it fitting, in light of all that is happening in the world right now, to expose the reality of those who seem to do well in this life, yet live it without Jesus; and contrast it against those who serve the Lord, and struggle in their way at times, all the while trusting in the Lord for His provision, protection, and ultimate promise to them. Psalm 73 contains 28 verses which I have broken down into three brief sections for commentary as it relates to this blog topic.
A Psalm of Asaph: “Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no pangs (pains) in their death, but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment. 7 Their eyes (face, iniquity) bulge with abundance; they have more than their heart could wish (desire). 8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily (proudly). 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.” – Psalm 73:1-9
- In this first section, we find Asaph describing how God is good to Israel and those who are pure in heart. He further expresses how he ‘almost stumbled’ in his envy ‘of the boastful and the prosperity of the wicked.’ God still loves Israel as well those who are pure in heart. The righteous also love the Lord.
From Asaph’s perspective, the wealthy wicked have no pain as their strength is firm, or so it seemed to him. He expressed how ‘their trouble is not as those of other men.’ They are prideful, violent, prosperous, and scoffers who speak wicked things. They are set against heaven and they speak (tongue) of the things of this earth.
We all know people like this. In our hearts we want to witness to them and see them saved; but all too often they are not interested in the things of the Lord because they are to distracted and accustomed to their worldly ways. Clearly this is a heartbreaker, especially when these ‘wicked’ people are those whom we love and want to be saved. As I write this blog I can think of many a friend who fits this description.
In this second section of this psalm, Asaph speaks to how these wicked question God’s wisdom or even His existence. I have had men tell me that they will deal with the issue of ‘God’s existence’ when they get there. This is the epitome of blasphemy toward God and the blatant rejection of who He really is, and what He desires to do in the hearts of men; basically to save them all. (2 Peter 3:9)
“Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full cup are drained by them. 11 And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches. 13 Surely I have cleansed (kept pure) my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. 16 When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful (troublesome) for me— 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. 18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.” – Psalm 73:10-20
- Asaph proclaims how ‘he has kept his heart pure and washed his hands in innocence;’ but it was not in vain. He speaks of his struggles in life, but how he was determined to speak God’s truth. It didn’t seem fair, at first, to Asaph, how he saw the wicked prosper and are always at ease, and yet the righteous struggle. This didn’t seem right to him and it still doesn’t seem right to us; but the night is young.
That was until he went to church (the sanctuary of God). Then he knew what the end of the wicked would be. If the wicked reject a loving God and refuse to repent of their sin, then they will be ‘cast down to destruction.’ Their desolation will occur ‘in a moment.’ They will be utterly consumed with terrors. Like when a person wakens from a dream and says, ‘whew, it was only a dream.’
Not so for those who enter into hell. For them, the nightmare is only beginning, for God has ‘despised their image,’ forever. If ever there were a picture of hell, fire, and damnation in then OT it would be here. It’s a scary prognosis for the wicked who once prospered, but who die in their sin. As a chaplain, I can think of a lot of officers who have done very well in their careers, but who don’t know Jesus. I have done my best to share God’s love with them, but in the end, we all have to choose for ourselves. When Asaph pondered this, his heart was grieved and his mind, vexed. He was a fool to envy the wicked who seemed to prosper in their way; for alas, it’s only a temporary situation for them, and for the righteous too. A NT parallel for this would be found in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16) that Jesus spoke of. This story is as true as God’s Word. “Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength (rock) of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert (are unfaithful) You for harlotry. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” – Psalm 73:21-28
- Asaph realized that as a righteous man, God was continually with him, holding him by his right hand. The Lord was his Guide, his Counselor, and after this life is over, God will ‘receive him (and us) into glory.’ His desire was for the Lord, even over all things or people in this world; Asaph loved the Lord.
Even in his weakness, ‘God was his strength, his rock, and his portion forever.’ He contrasted how those who are far from the Lord will perish and be destroyed; who dessert or are unfaithful to the Lord for the sins of this world. For the righteous, it’s good to draw near to the Lord and put our faith and trust in Him.
This is a blog for all those out there who have great retirement plans and who have placed their faith in them, but not in the Lord. I am not talking about believers who are financially responsible. I am talking about un-believers who think they are secure in their lives because of their investments and heath benefits. This life is as temporary as it is eternal. Temporary on this side of the grave, and eternal on the other side. The more people can see the truth that God has placed eternity in our hearts, the greater their desire for the things of the Lord. It’s a terrible thing to wager eternity on being wrong, yet people do it every day, and die in it.
I remember in times past when I would be tasked to clear out a wealthy home and transport the items therein to a local charity. The people who lived in these homes either died or were moved to a convalescent facility by their adult children or power of attorney. I could tell by the stuff in their home that these people were not saved, and now they were dead or dying in their sin. It was sad because their homes were very beautiful. I am sure many a holiday was spent with family and friends in these elaborate homes; but now they were emptied and being made ready for the next tenant. Just like that, the wicked prospered, and then they were gone. What a tragedy. So much money, so little time, one bad choice that led to a lifestyle of ungodliness and eventual death.
Like Asaph of the OT, we too must decide for ourselves how true God’s Word is and how brief our time here in this life is to figure it out. I enjoy going to church and worshipping the Lord. I enjoy my time with the Lord in prayer and devotions. I believe that I am saved by grace through faith in Jesus and even though my retirement plan isn’t that great on this side of the veil, it’s out of this world on the other side!
We don’t have much time left here brothers (sisters). It’s important to make sure that we’re ready to go by being saved and living out that salvation each day by faith. If we’re truly saved, than we have something to share with others, even those who have a secure retirement plan. I encourage you today my brother (sister) to embrace and steward well that which the Lord has blessed you with. Please know that whatever your retirement plan looks like, if you have Jesus, you have the ultimate retirement plan, the un-retirement plan that is experienced by believers in Jesus in heaven, with an eternal body that we will enjoy forever.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 35-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 