Psalm 73

Bible Passage:  Psalm 73

‘Tis Not with Eyes of Flesh We See

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

(Ps 73:2-3)

Our eyes are undoubtedly a powerful tool. They help us to perceive our environment, avoid dangers and appreciate God’s creation. But what we see also influences our thoughts and actions. We see and judge. We see and want. We see and doubt.

Here are some scenarios that we are all too familiar with: we see a chubby person wearing a tight t-shirt and think how bad she looks in it; we watch the latest TV ad for iphone 5 and want to upgrade to it, although we just bought iphone 4; we see unscrupulous people living happier lives than us and start to doubt God’s fairness.

The psalmist had the same experience, and he was almost deceived by what he saw. When he saw the prosperity of the wicked, it caused such a great conflict in his heart that he even felt it was “too painful” for him to try to understand how this could be (v16). “Why can others have all that they want with so much ease?” “Why are they so happy, while I am suffering and struggling on in my journey as a Christian?” “Why, God?”

Sometimes we are just like the psalmist, focusing only on what we see. But once we turn our focus back to God, we start to see things differently:

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.” (Ps 73:17)

When we come before God’s presence and remember His word, we will start to see that even the happiest, healthiest and richest person will have to face God’s judgment one day:

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Heb 9:27)

So whenever, we find ourselves tempted to judge by what our physical eyes see, or when we find ourselves looking non-stop for fun activities, shopping sprees and feasting opportunities, we need to quickly turn our eyes upon Jesus and draw near to Him.

This is what the psalmist did—when he drew closer to God, he began to see his own carnal-mindedness and quickly repented (v21-22)… and then he started to see with eyes of faith. He could clearly see God’s mercy, faithfulness and goodness. He saw that God is the only source of strength and true, eternal happiness; he remembered that “it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD” (v28).

Today, do we see with eyes of flesh or of faith?

“With eyes of faith we look to Thee…
 Son of God, we walk with Thee along life’s way.
 We follow where Thy feet have trod
 Unto that realm of glorious day.
 Fill Thou our hearts with joyous song;
 Sustain our faith and make us strong.”

(From ‘Tis Not with Eyes of Flesh We See by Ora W. Garber)