Gospel Reflections #1159: God's eyes filled with care for us

Psalm 73:12–13 ‘Behold, these are the ones who defy God; they are at ease for ever and grow rich. But I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence—yet it was all in vain.’

This passage most candidly expresses the ‘deep despair and wavering faith’ felt by believers when confronted with an absurd reality.

The psalmist witnesses the reality that ‘wicked people’—who do not fear God and oppress others—remain ‘always at ease’ without receiving any retribution, and indeed, ‘their wealth continues to increase’.

He denounces the absurdity of a situation where those who ought to face God’s judgement appear, on the contrary, to be blessed.

Whilst the wicked prosper, the psalmist—who has kept God’s law and striven to keep himself pure—finds himself in distress.

Consequently, he expresses a searing sense of betrayal and futility, asking: ‘Have all my efforts to live a pure life in obedience to God ended in nothing—in vain?’

This passage addresses the theme of the breakdown (or absurdity) of the principle of ‘what goes round comes round’—a question that many Christians and people of faith encounter at some point in their lives: ‘If God exists, why do the righteous suffer whilst the wicked prosper?’

The phrase ‘keeping my heart pure’ in verse 13 also marks a moment when the purity of one’s motives for faith is put to the test: ‘Was I living righteously merely to receive blessings?’

For if one believes in God for personal gain, the value of that faith is lost the moment the wicked prosper.

Verses 12 and 13 represent the peak of despair, yet the psalm does not end here.

Subsequently, when the poet enters ‘God’s sanctuary’, he realises the true fate (destruction) of the wicked and is transformed into the conviction that true fellowship with God is the greatest wealth of all.

In other words, these two verses are interpreted as a ‘process of doubt and struggle’ that one must go through in order to advance to true faith.

Perhaps we cannot reach the path of true faith without going through such struggles.

God knows all our selfishness and weaknesses, and uses them to lead us to Himself.

And so that we do not fail to recognise that guidance, God is constantly speaking to us and granting us insights.

God’s eyes are always fixed upon each and every one of us.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.