Nov 23, 2024
The 2024 edition of Our Best Thought is inspired by our 2024 Bible Reading Plan and features writings thoughtfully crafted by contributors reflecting on their daily devotions. “Our Best Thought“ is taken from the hymn, “Be Thou My Vision” as a reference to God: “Thou my best thought, by day or by night.”
Reading: Psalm 73
Scripture:
Psalm 73:3-4, 16-17, 25-26
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.
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16 When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion for ever.
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Observation:
In this psalm, we see a psalmist comparing his life to others. He thinks that other people’s lives are better than his and that the wicked are thriving and successful. He cries out to God and asks, “Why aren’t You doing anything about this? Why am I doing good yet suffering, while others are doing evil and becoming more prosperous?” In the end, he realises his ignorance—that he was wrong—and that God is the embodiment of justice and will punish the wicked sooner or later. He also recognises that God is always with him, and that is all he truly needs.
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Application:
Sometimes in life, especially in this day and age of social media, we tend to compare our lives with others. We look at certain businessmen or influencers and say to ourselves, “How can they get away with conniving in their trade and continuously grow richer and richer, while we do honest hard work and yet have barely enough to live on?” But we must remember that God gives us everything we need and more. We just need to learn how to be content and live in gratitude, knowing that God is truly all we need. He is always present. He is our advisor, our source of strength, and our place of safety. He is, indeed, all that we need.
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Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I repent for being so easily swayed and distracted by the things of this world. I repent of comparing myself with others and coveting what they have. I ask that You help me rely more on You and not always wish for more. Lord, remind me to be grateful for the things You have given me. Help me see that all I need is You, and only You Lord. And help me share this joy with others so that we can all know of Your goodness, mercy, and grace toward us. Amen.