06-08-2025 Directions and Destinations

Text: Psalm 73:22-28

                   We spend a lot of time in our lives thinking about and planning where we’re going and how we are going to get there.  Back in the day, we used paper maps when we planned long trips but today, thanks to the innovation of the organization that I worked for when I was employed by the US Army, we now have the convenience of the GPS, or Global positioning system.  With all the traveling and planning we do, there are two questions we all must ask ourselves:  the first is the direction we want to take our lives,  and second is where we will go when this life is over. 

                   This morning our text comes from Psalm 73:22-28 where the psalmist writes:  “ (22) So foolish was I, and ignorant:  I was as a beast before You.  (23) Nevertheless, I am continually with You:  You have held me by my right hand.  (24) You shall guide me with Your counsel, and afterward, receive me to glory.  (25) Whom have I in Heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire beside You.  (26) My flesh and my heart fail but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion ever.  (27) For lo, they who are far from You shall perish.  You have destroyed all them who go a whoring from You.  (28) But it is good for me to draw near to God.  I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” 

                   This psalm is about spiritual directions and destinations.  It was written by Asaph, one of King David’s chief musicians, at a point that he felt those who lived wicked lives prospered much more than those who tried to live according to God’s laws and commandments.  But he came to a point where he found the understanding that he needed.  He learned that His Lord God would guide him through this life and afterward, would receive him in Glory.  So, how can we achieve that same assurance that Asaph had come to know regarding our spiritual life and our final destination?

                   We begin by accepting that we have faults.  Verse 22 shows us that the Holy Spirit caused Asaph to see that the direction he had been taking in his life was foolish.  From our study of Proverbs, we know that the terms fools and foolish apply to those who live Godless lives.  Earlier in the psalm Asaph writes that he envied the prosperity of the wicked and grieved over his pain and their supposed blessings.  But when he faced up to his own sins, he went to the sanctuary and looked to God.  When we look to God, like Asaph, we also will see our need for Him in our lives and understand our short comings.  One of the primary responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is to work within our hearts and lives to remind Christians how much we need God in our lives to stay on the path that He has set out for us. 

                   Paul reminds us in Romans 3:10-23 that we are all sinners in need of salvation.  No matter how prosperous a person is, it means nothing because everyone is going to die, and we can’t take any earthly possessions with us when we do.  Facing our sins and receiving forgiveness by allowing Jesus into our hearts produces a life of repentance and faith and the future that all Christians are waiting for when this life on earth is done.  Asaph is showing us how faith and grace will carry us through this life into the glory that awaits us in Heaven. 

                   Asaph also reminds us in verses 23 and 24 that we are to be grateful for God’s guidance.  The presence of God in our life is greater than any of the pleasures that are offered by this world.  When we trust in Jesus, Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 13:5 tell us we’re never alone.  The Holy Spirit gives us guidance that points us to God’s direction for our lives.  When we feel lost and alone, prayer gives us a fresh touch from Heaven that helps us to realize that our salvation doesn’t come from money, things, or position in life.  It only comes from Jesus.  When we come to fully realize that Jesus will satisfy all our wants and needs, we will truly have peace and assurance in this life.

                   Verses 25-28 of our text tell us exactly what it is that gives us this peace and assurance in a world that is spinning out of control.  It’s the knowledge that when this life is over, we will be received into the glory of God.  As Asaph came to understand, Heaven is assured for those who put their lives in the hands of Jesus.  We can take joy and comfort knowing that the best is yet to come.  Charles Spurgeon, the English Baptist preacher who lived in the 1800’s once wrote:  “We can cheerfully put up with the present when we foresee the future and know that it is bright.”  Asaph’s psalm declares his confidence knowing that he has God’s presence and guidance in his life and when this life is over, he will be received into the glory of God.  

                    Our downfall comes when we shut God out because think that we can lean on our own strength.  But we quickly come to realize how inadequate that thinking is because we begin to fail.  Only when we realize that Jesus is our strength and step aside and let Him take over, we quickly see that everything we need will be provided for us.  We must never let our pride deceive us into thinking that we don’t need the help of our Lord and Savior.  Instead, it’s better to begin every day by asking for His guidance in everything we must deal with and thank Him in advance for the help He will give us.  When we develop the habit of starting every day by doing this, problems that arise will be easily managed. 

                   From birth to death, God continually has us in His grip and will never let us fall.  This is what gives us the promise of eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Though our courage and strength may falter at times, we can always trust that one day we will be raised to a life where we will serve Him forever and have peace and joy beyond our human comprehension.  God provides for our security and our eternal life so we must always cling to Him, especially when the things of life become difficult. 

                    As Christians we experience the Lord’s direction every day of our life.  As long as we have an active prayer life, we know we are never alone, and we know what our final destination will be.  When we accept Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Savior of our life, we are assured of the promise of eternity in Heaven because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Without Him, no one can come to the Father.  If you haven’t made that decision to accept Him, please don’t wait any longer.  You are never too young or too old to ask Him into your heart. 

                    Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.