Scripture Reading : Psalm 73
Theme : Suffering Produces Character
- The Blight of Envy (1–14). The eleven psalms 73–83, which make up the bulk of the their book in the book of psalms, bear the name of Asaph, founder of one of the temple choirs (1 Chr. 25:1). This great psalm is the story of a bitter and despairing search. It recalls the kind of questions that distracted Job and Jeremiah; but at the end they no longer seem unanswerable, and the psalmist has a confession and a supreme discovery to share. The phrase, pure in heart, is more significant than it may seem, for the psalm will show the relative unimportance of circumstances in comparison with attitudes, which may be either soured by self-interest (3, 13) or set free by love (25). Pure means more than clean-minded, though it certainly includes it; basically it is being totally committed to God. The psalmist has a crisis of faith because he was more envious than righteous. Also he was suffering (v. 14). He viewed life from a utilitarian perspective, that is, what he gets from God for doing good, instead of viewing life purely in terms of worshipping God for His greatness of character.
- The Radiance of Faith (15–28). The psalmist changed his doubt when he understood God is righteous and will judge evil eventually. He confessed his ignorance and repented. God is great and He should be praised and worshipped. He Himself should be believers’ highest love (v. 25), not the gifts of God. The psalmist will continue to walk with God and practice righteousness because God is righteous, not because righteousness results in financial gain. He will continue to be righteous even in the face of suffering. He will depend on God as his refuge to deliver him from present evil and await God to bring His full glory to earth (v. 24) when He permanently kicks all evil doers off of the earth (v. 27).
Praying the Scripture
Romans 5:3-4 says suffering produces character. It certainly does as this psalmist testifies. Our hearts are deceitful and we sometimes worship God not because of the greatness of His character such as righteousness, but because we think worshipping God will gives us financial gain or some worldly benefits. Suffering burns away the dross of these sinful motivations and purifies our faith and character. Non-believers will not endure suffering for long because they worship money, power or some worldly things, not God. Their suffering will eventually reveal their true heart of worship and allegiance. They will eventually reject God. For believers, suffering will clarify and strengthen their faith because they will be willing to suffer/sacrifice (cf. Rom. 12:1) for what they worship, which is the greatness of God and His character of righteousness. They will practice righteousness even when they suffer. God will eventually take away all suffering on earth, but at the meantime He uses it to conform believers into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:28-29). Pray that you will understand how God uses suffering/sacrifices to purify your faith. When you suffer or are tested, ask God to strengthen your faith and character.
经文：诗篇73
主题：患难生老练
- 嫉妒的毁损（1-14）。诗篇73至83都是亚萨的诗；亚萨是圣殿唱诗班的其中一名创始人（代上25:1）。这首伟大的诗是关乎一个辛酸又绝望之寻索的故事。它回顾了曾经使约伯和耶利米困扰的问题，而这问题最终不是没有答案的；诗人想分享自己的懊悔以及一个重大的发现。“清心”这词的意义很大，因为诗篇将显明境遇与态度相对而言是微不足道的，而这态度可以是自私自利的（3,13），或因爱得释放（25）。“清”不但表示纯洁，更是全然委身与神的意思。诗人的信心受到极度的考验，因为他羡慕人的心比正义感更大。他也在受苦（14）。他是以功利主义看待生活的，也就是因行善从神可得的好处，而不是单单以生命敬拜神，因为神是伟大的。
- 信心的光芒（15-28）。当诗人明白神是公义的并将最终审判罪恶，他不再质疑神。他承认自己是无知的，并悔改了。神是伟大的，当受赞美和崇拜。信徒最大的爱当是神自己（25），而不是神的恩赐。诗人要继续与神同行，也要行义，因为神是公义的；他不再是因为想换取钱财的利益行义。即便受到患难，他也要持续行在义中。他要依靠神作他的避难所，救他脱离现今的恶，并等待神将祂的所有的荣耀带入世间（24），也就是祂从地上永远除去恶人的时候（27）。
用经文祷告
罗马书5:3-4说患难生老练。这即是诗人的见证。我们的心是诡诈的，而我们时而敬拜神的原因是想借此得到钱财利益或其他的好处，并不是因祂伟大的属性，如公义。患难能磨掉这些罪恶的动机，洁净我们的信心和品格。非信徒是不能长久承受苦难的，因为他们敬拜的是钱财、势力或其他属世之物，不是神。他们的苦难将显明他们真正敬拜的东西。他们最后会拒绝神。对信徒而言，患难能洞彻并坚固他的信心，因为他们愿意为所敬拜的对象受苦或牺牲（参：罗12:1），即因神的伟大与祂公义的属性。即便受苦，他们也会行义。神最终将除去地上所有的苦楚，但现在正使用苦难叫信徒效法基督的模样（罗8:28-29）。祷告你会明白神是如何使用患难来洁净你的信心。当你受患难或试炼时，求神坚固你的信心和品格。
