“The View from the Sanctuary of God”:

Psalm 73

Perspective Changes Everything

“Why do bad things happen to God’s people,

and good things happen to those who hate

God?”

Why Do Bad Things Happen to God’s People?

“For I envied the arrogant envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wickedprosperity of the wicked”

(Psalm 73:3). “Surely in vain in vain have I kept my heart

pure; in vain in vain have I washed my hands in innocence” (Psalm 73:13).

The Big Idea

The Only Place Where Life Makes Sense

Is at the Foot of the Cross

Trusting God Theologically

“SurelySurely God is good God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart”

(Psalm 73:1).

Doubting God Personally

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogantenvied the arrogant when I saw I saw the prosperity prosperity

of the wickedof the wicked” (Psalm 73:2-3).

Eyeballs Only: The Lifestyle of the Rich and

Famous“They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy

and strong. They are free from the burdens

common to man; they are not plagued by

human ills” (Psalm 73:4-5).

Eyeballs Only: The Lifestyle of the Rich and

Famous

Eyeballs Only: Life Going Smoothly for the

God-Haters“Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the

evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice;

in their arrogance they threaten oppression” (Psalm 73:6-8).

Eyeballs Only: Life Going Smoothly for the

God-Haters“Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and

their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to

them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, ‘How can God know? Does the

Most High have knowledge?’”(Psalm 73:9-11)

Eyeballs Only: Life Going Smoothly for the

God-Haters

Eyeballs Only: Bad Things Happening to

God’s People

Eyeballs Only: Bad Things Happening to

God’s People“This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain in vain have I kept

my heart pure; in vain in vain have I washed my hands in innocence”

(Psalm 73:12-16).

Eyeballs Only: Bad Things Happening to

God’s People“All day long I have been plagued, I have

been punished every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to

understand all this, it was oppressiveoppressive to me”

(Psalm 73:12-16).

Seeing Life with Cross-Shaped Eyes

“Till I entered the sanctuary of Godsanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny”

(Psalm 73:17).

Courtyard: Ten Basins and Large Laver

Courtyard: Brazen Altar of Sacrifice

The Holy Place/Outer Sanctuary: Ten Golden Candlesticks

The Holy Place/Outer Sanctuary: The Table of Showbread

The Holy Place/Outer Sanctuary: The Golden Altar of Incense

The Veil Between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies

The Holy of Holies

The Holy of Holies: Ark of Testimony/Ark of the Covenant

The Holy of Holies: Ark of Testimony—Two Tablets of Stone, Pot of Manna, Aaron’s

Rod That Budded

The Day of Atonement

The High Priest

Jesus: Our Great High Priest

“Such a high priest meets our needs—one needs—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart

from sinnersfrom sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himselfonce for all when he offered himself”

(Hebrews 7:26-27).

The Only Place Where Life Makes Sense

Is at the Foot of the Cross

A Cross-Shaped View of God-Haters

“Surely you place them on slipperyslippery ground; you cast them down to ruinruin. How suddenly are they destroyed,

completely swept away by terrors! As a As a dream dream when one awakes; when you

arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies” (Psalm 73:18-20).

A Cross-Shaped View of Myself

“When my heart was grieved and my spirit

embittered, I was senseless and ignorantsenseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you” (Psalm 73:21-22).

A Cross-Shaped View of God

“Yet I am always with youYet I am always with you; you hold me you hold me by my right handby my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but Whom have I in heaven but

you? And earth has nothing I desire you? And earth has nothing I desire besides youbesides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:23-

26).

Trusting God Theologically and Personally

“Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for meBut as for me, it is good to be near God. I

have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deedsI will tell of all your deeds” (Psalm

73:27-28).

Am I Living to Make God’s Name Famous?

“The View from the Sanctuary of God”:

Psalm 73