A missionary who served with a lot of dedication, sacrifice, and faithfulness often struggled with difficulties, opposition, and lack of fruit in his ministry. He started brooding more about what he could not do, rather what he could do. Somehow, envy gripped him that he compared with the others in the ministry and his peers who were not Christians. That frustrated him further, which led him to murmur and lament often, even for minor issues. His two children respected their father for his high dedication, and truthfulness, but could not understand why he was always frustrated. Growing up in that environment made them hate ministry and mission. They resolved never to be involved as a full-time minister.
The dilemma of Asaph: When Asaph observed the wicked, his feet almost stumbled and his feet nearly slipped. He saw them arrogant, wicked prosperous, healthy, fat, sleek, wearing pride as a necklace, covering violence as their garment, they scoff, speak of malice, threaten oppression, and increase riches. In contrast, Asaph worried that he was true, honest, and righteous; washed his hands in innocence. (Psalms 73: 1-14)
Children betrayed: If Asaph focuses only on the negatives and observes only the wicked, he will not get the full picture. Perhaps, he sees only one side of the coin. His observations are partial and unfinished stories in the process. Hence, he writes: “If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children.” (Psalms 73:15) By always speaking and lamenting about this, he will deprive children of true knowledge.
Right perspective: Asaph realized his focus or obsession was wrong and negative, he decided to change his focus, perspective, and point of reference. Instead of focusing on the wicked or world or visible things, he went into the sanctuary of God. There he could see the end of the story from the right perspective of God. (Psalms 73:17) The wicked and ungodly will be punished and judged.
Paul exhorts believers to set their minds on things that are above, eternal, and not on the perishable material world. (Colossians 3:1)
Do I deprive my children of God’s perspective and plan?