Bible Devotions for Living

Thinking others, even unbelievers, have it better than us is another mistake we believers can fall into. Let’s take a look at Asaph, the author of some Psalms, to see how he dealt with it.

Asaph was a man of God. He was a singer in the Lord’s house (1 Chr 6), ministered before the ark of the Covenant with praise and thanks (1 Chr 16:4-5), authored Psalms, and is credited as a prophet (2 Chr 29:30). Even with that godly resume, he had a problem you might have too … he began to envy the wicked.

² But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my steps nearly went astray. ³ For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ⁴ They have an easy time until they die,and their bodies are well fed. ⁵ They are not in trouble like others; they are not afflicted like most people. ⁶ Therefore, pride is their necklace, and violence covers them like a garment. ⁷ Their eyes bulge out from fatness; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. ⁸ They mock, and they speak maliciously; they arrogantly threaten oppression. ⁹ They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues strut across the earth. ¹⁰ Therefore His people turn to themand drink in their overflowing words. ¹¹ The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High know everything?” ¹² Look at them—the wicked! They are always at ease, and they increase their wealth. ¹³ Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing? ¹⁴ For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning. (Ps 73:3-14)

He started comparing his life to the wicked and thought they did whatever evil they wanted and never had any consequences. He compared their easy lifestyle to his hard one as a believer and began to wonder if he had lived for God in vain! That is a very bad way to think. Living for the Lord is never done in vain and all your labor and difficulties serve an important part of your growth spiritually and even your rewards in heaven.

Yes, the Christian road is a hard one but it is one that leads to Heaven:

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. ¹⁴ How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” (Mt 7:13-14)

Jesus never promised you an easy life. In fact, Scripture makes it clear that believers should expect the opposite.

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials … (Jms 1:2)

¹² Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. ¹³ Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. (1 Pet 4:12-13)

Don’t grow weary of striving through this life with the Lord. Don’t get caught in the trap of envying the wicked or thinking they have such an easy time. Look what Asaph said later in Psalm 73:

¹⁶ When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless ¹⁷ until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny. ¹⁸ Indeed, You put them on slippery places; You make them fall into ruin. ¹⁹ How suddenly they become a desolation! They come to an end, swept away by terrors. ²⁰ Like one waking from a dream, Lord, when arising, You will despise their image. ²¹ When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded, ²² I was stupid and didn’t understand; I was an unthinking animal toward You.
²³ Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand. ²⁴ You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me up in glory. (Ps 73:16-24)

Asaph came to his senses when he started to think spiritually. He saw that life here does not go well for the unbelievers and it won’t end well for them in eternity. He also realized that God is with His people.

Don’t envy the wicked by only thinking from a worldly perspective. Don’t let yourself wallow in self-pity over your hard road, or envy the life of the wicked, or wonder if you’re living a holy life in vain. Take those thoughts captive and start thinking spiritually before you get down or start drifting away. The Christian road is hard, but it will end in glory.

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us … (Rom 8:18)

Think about it

Do you ever think the unsaved have it easy in life? Is that really true?

How will the unsaved spend eternity? How will you spend it?

Do you ever think you are living the right way for no reason? What does God say on the topic? What is the best way to overcome those thoughts?