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PSALM 73

"IS GOD FAIR?"

Intro: I know a man very wealthy, excellent health, large of stature, handsome countenance,
       yet his mind is a cesspool - blasphemous, spends his money on riotous and sinful
       pleasures. Is God fair to give him so much when he curses God? I know a dear saint
       who suffers continually barely enough to get by on, one painful experience after
       another. Husband an alcoholic. Yet she is always praying and praising the Lord. Is
       God fair. I know a splendid young Christian couple, work diligently in the church
       tithe faithfully, they had a baby born to them horribly deformed. Is God fair? Hard
       for us to equate. Impossible.

I. "I WAS ENVIOUS AT THE FOOLISH WHEN I SAW THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED."
        A. Their strength is firm.
                1. Seem to get by and escape.
                2. Cheat and are not caught.
        B. They are not in trouble as other men.
                1. Wicked have trouble.
                2. Not those Satan attracts us to for example.
        C. Full of pride.
                1. "Eyes stand out with fatness."
                2. "More than heart could wish."
        D. "They are corrupt."  vs 8
                1. "Set their mouths against heaven."
                        a. "How doth God know?"
                        b. "Is there knowledge in the most high?"
        E. "Behold these are the ungodly who prosper in the world."

II. VS. 16 "WHEN I SOUGHT TO KNOW THIS, IT WAS TOO PAINFUL FOR ME."
        A. Vs. 2 "My feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped."
        B. vs. 13 "I have cleansed my heart in vain It hasn't been worth the struggle."
                a.  The fellow sho cheats gets rich.
                b. The honest man goes broke.

Painful perplexity until -

Ill. "I WENT INTO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD THEN UNDER -STOOD I THEIR END."
        A. A broader view was discovered.
                1. This should always perpetually be the experience of entrance into God's
                   house.
                2. Nearer view more clear.
        B. "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places."
                Deut. -  "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall
                         slide in due time for the day of their calamity is at hand, and
                         the things that come upon them shall make haste."
                1. Walking icy plank over open pit of hell.
                2. So many times when we go into sanctuary the word of God that comes forth
                   just what we need.
        C. Looking to eternity is sin worth it?
        D. Vs. 21 "My heart was grieved."
                1. Envy turned to pity. Great victory at this point.

IV. MY PRESENT AND ETERNAL BENEFITS.
        A. "I am continually with thee."
        B. "You hold me by my right hand."
        C. "You guide me by your counsel" Absolom had received AthithopheI.
        D. You will receive me into glory.

vs. 25
vs 28