Psalms 72-73, Romans 9:1-15 • Key Verses: Psalm 73:2-3

When the parking lot of our church was slippery due to snow, ice or a combination thereof, often at the end of the service I would remind people of Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (KJV). A little overconfidence is a dangerous thing when walking on ice. Another reason we slip is because we get distracted.

A friend says, “Hi,” we take our eyes off the pavement, begin to wave back and, well, you get the picture. Worse yet, the pain from our fall seems greater when someone else has witnessed our unceremoniously landing.

Literally, not watching how we walk can result in a physical fall. Figuratively, the same is true. If we do not keep our “eyes right,” we can slip spiritually. Carelessness and a momentary distraction, either one or both together, can result in a fall.

Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73, reminds us of that truth in words of testimony. “My feet had almost slipped …. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

Life does not give us a smooth track for walking. Our struggles can be compounded as our eyes wander and we get distracted by the apparent ease and prosperity of the ungodly. Then we slip.
We can keep from slipping by focusing our attention on Jesus and how He wants us to live. We look not for the ease of this world but the reward of the world to come.

Godliness with contentment is great gain, according to Paul (1 Tim, 6:6). He also said, ‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Phil 4:11). Ask God to help you be contented, not envious.

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in