The Sanctuary State of Mind (Psalm 73)
Scripture Reading: Psalm 73:12,17 | For the lesson, however, I would recommend using the entire text. The first 16 verses lead up to verse 17, which serves as a turningpoint. Asaph is tempted to view the world through worldly eyes, but instead determines to see it from the perspective of the sanctuary (v17). The text concludes with what he learned from the change of perspective.
Introduction
1) Part of the Christian life is selflessness. But, being selfless doesn’t forbid us from any care of self.
2) In Philippians 2, Paul says, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Php. 2:4). But, he also says, “work out your own salvation” (Php. 2:12).
3) The psalmist was tempted by the world around him (Ps. 73:2). Rather than giving in to the world, he had to stop to think about what was best for him. It was best to choose to enter the sanctuary to serve God (Ps. 73:17). In the end he says, “[T]hey that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God…” (Ps. 73:24-25).
4) Sanctuary refers in the Bible to the Tabernacle (Ex. 25:8), the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle (Le. 4), Heaven (Ps. 102:19), the Temple (1 Ch. 22:19), the Promised Land (Ex. 15:17), and as a place of divine service (Ps. 73:17).
5) Today’s sanctuary is the church (He. 8:2). We must put it first (Mt. 6:33), and we must view everything as if from the church’s perspective.
6) God is good (Ps. 73:1), “but as for [us]” (Ps. 73:2), we tend to forget the proper perspective and look at things differently than God does. And Asaph, like us, was in such dismay that he was nearly tempted to sin.
Discussion
I. When I’m in the sanctuary state of mind, the world’s apparent blessings don’t seem the same.
A. Worldliness tempts us to think that the accumulation of wealth and possessions makes one happy (Ps. 73:7,12; cf. Ps. 62:10).
B. It causes us to envy worldly people and to think that godliness is less prosperous or even burdensome (Ps. 73:5).
II. When I’m in the sanctuary state of mind, I understand the world’s fate (Ps. 73:17).
A. Destruction (Ps. 73:18; 2 Pe. 3:10-12; I Jn. 2:17)
-Asaph’s previous perception was that the wicked die without great pain and having peace of mind, or strength (Ps. 73:4).
B. Desolation (Ps. 73:19a; Lk. 16:19-24)
C. Terror (Ps. 73:19b; Ja. 5:1-5)
- Understanding the end of its wickedness erases all envy and wonder at the state of the world.
III. When I’m in the sanctuary state of mind, I realize my foolishness and ignorance at other times (Ps. 73:22; Ac. 23:1).
A. Satan deceives us when we are at our weakest (2 Co. 11:3).
B. After acknowledging the truth, we always look back to say, “I knew better than to do/believe that” (Ec. 3:17-18; Ps. 32:8,9).
IV. When I’m in the sanctuary state of mind, I see the value of devoting my life to serving God (Ps. 73:13,23-28).
A. I know I have proper guidance (Ps. 73:23-24; 23:4).
B. I know I there are no other options (Ps. 73:25; 42:1-2; Mt. 10:37).
C. I know that when God navigates my heart, I am strong (Ps. 73:26; Is. 40:29-31; 2 Pe. 1:14; 2 Ti. 4:6-8).
D. I know that then I can truly declare God’s works (Ps. 73:28; Ja. 4:8).
Conclusion
1) It takes dedication to God’s word to admit the world is lost.
2) Perspective is a major part of why many people struggle to convert to Christianity. It is a step that requires a change of views about the ways of the world.
3) If only we’d see from the sanctuary. Are you in the sanctuary state of mind?
