The Book of Psalms (30-Day Journey)Sample

When Life Feels Unfair

Psalm 73 is one of the most emotionally raw and theologically rich psalms in all of Scripture. It begins with a bold declaration of faith: “Surely God is good…” (NIV) Yet, within the very next verse, the psalmist—Asaph—confesses that his faith nearly unraveled when confronted with a painful and disorienting reality: the wicked seem to thrive while the righteous often struggle. This tension isn’t unique to Asaph. It’s a universal cry of the human heart. How do we reconcile the goodness of God with the brokenness we see in the world—and sometimes in our own lives?

Asaph’s honesty is deeply comforting. He doesn’t hide behind spiritual platitudes or pretend everything is fine. Instead, he brings his disillusionment before God: “I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (v.3 NIV). He describes how the wicked live without apparent consequence. They’re healthy, wealthy, and seemingly untouched by the troubles that plague others. They mock God, oppress people, and still live in comfort. Meanwhile, Asaph is left wondering if his pursuit of purity has been in vain: “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure… I have been afflicted all day long” (v.13–14 NIV). It’s the age-old question: Why do bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to those who dishonor God?

What makes this passage powerful is not only its honesty but also its turning point. Everything changes in verse 17: “Until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”(NIV) Here lies the key. Asaph’s anguish doesn’t dissolve because his circumstances change, but because his perspective does. In the sanctuary—in the presence of God—he sees beyond the surface. He realizes that the success of the wicked is fleeting. Their security is an illusion. What seemed unshakable is actually fragile. The presence of God reframes his pain. It reminds him of what is eternally true, not just temporarily visible. He begins to see that earthly wealth and comfort are nothing compared to the treasure of knowing God.

The most tender part of Psalm 73 is not the shift in theological understanding, but the personal revelation that follows it: “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” (Psalm 73:23–24 NIV). God is not only just—He is near. Even in the psalmist’s doubt, God doesn’t abandon him. He holds his hand. He walks with him through the confusion. The same God who sits enthroned above the heavens also sits with us in our lowest valleys.

Asaph comes to a beautiful conclusion: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (v.25 NIV). What started as envy turns into worship. What began in bitterness ends in intimacy. He realizes that even if the wicked prosper temporarily, he has something far greater—God Himself.

In our own lives, we often hit moments where nothing seems to make sense. We watch as those who bend the rules succeed, while those who walk in integrity suffer setbacks. We question if it’s worth it. We wonder if God sees. If we’re not careful, we’ll begin to believe the lie that God is either distant or unjust. But Psalm 73 offers a different way. It invites us to do what Asaph did: enter the sanctuary. That sanctuary might not be a physical temple—it may be your bedroom floor, your car on a lunch break, or a quiet moment in the early morning hours. It’s not the location that matters, but the posture. It’s the place where you pour out your honest thoughts and allow God to realign your heart. Where worship becomes the lens through which you interpret the world. In that sacred space, God doesn’t always give us easy answers, but He does give us His presence. And that presence shifts everything.