Psalm 73:4
For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.
Asaph is conflicted because of what he is seeing; his perspective has caused him to almost stumble. When he looks around it seems like the wicked are prospering. As we shared a few days ago, many believers go through life with the same perspective. Looking at life from their own perspective instead of understanding Gods perspective. That is a recipe for stumbling.
Asaph goes on to say it seems like there no pangs in the death of the wicked. They seem peaceful in their death and it seems like their strength is still firm. That is an observation when we look at things from our perspective and that is the folly of trusting in self. If only God would remove the veil for us to see beyond the veil that separates the physical and spiritual worlds, then we would realize that there is no peace in the death of the wicked.
Matthew 16:26 (NKJV)
26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Jesus reminds us that there is more to life than just amassing things to self and losing your soul in exchange for the whole world is not worth it. When we look at life from our perspective which is limited, we are tempted to follow after the ways of the wicked because it seems like they are getting the best and there seems to be no consequences for their wickedness but that is the deceit of the enemy who wants to blind us and limit us to our own perspective.
I love how Asaph snaps out of this self-perspective at the end of this psalm.
Psalm 73: 27-28
For indeed, those who are far from you shall perish; you have destroyed all those who desert 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.
May we look at life from Gods perspective and may we also be able to say that we have totally put our trust in the Lord GOD that we may declare his works.