Shalom,

Psalm 73 is a Psalm of Asaph. Asaph was a Levite who served as a musician and worship leader during the reign of King David. In this psalm he is confessing his sin of being envious of the wicked. Verses 2-3:

²But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped. ³For I was envious of the foolish and arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

I have talked to many believers who have felt the same way that Asaph felt! It LOOKED like the wicked and ungodly were blessed far more than the godly and that they didn't have to endure some of the same tests, trials and tribulations. We now know that things are very seldom as they APPEAR to be in the eyes of the world! Asaph even found himself wondering if it was all worth it! Have YOU ever been tempted to think that? I HAVE! I believe that everyone is faced with that temptation at some point. Asaph said that it was too painful for him to even consider (verse 16) UNTIL he went into the sanctuary of God! What is the sanctuary of God? The sanctuary is the place of God's presence. Under the Old Covenant the sanctuary was in the Temple or Tabernacle. Under our New and better Covenant, His presence is IN US! THAT is the "secret place"! When Asaph got himself into the presence of God he received the understanding he needed to think clearly! Verse 17:

¹⁷Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood [for I considered] their end.

He understood that the end result of being an unbeliever who wanted nothing to do with God was horrifying! do YOU understand that no matter how well off the unbeliever looks, his certain end, without receiving Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, is eternal separation from God in hell and the lake of fire? As long as we stand on the promises of God's Word and refuse to give up, we WILL see the promised results, no matter what it looks like! Don't envy the unbeliever! Love them the way that God loves them by praying for them and sharing the Good News of the Gospel at every opportunity!

Hebrews 7 speaks of Melchizedek who was the King of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. The only other person to ever stand in the offices of both Priest and King is Jesus of Nazareth! Their priesthood was NOT after the priestly order of Aaron ( of the Levites) which operated according the Old Covenant of the Law. Verse 11 tells us WHY we needed a new and different kind of High Priest:

¹¹Now if perfection (a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper) had been attainable by the Levitical priesthood--for under it the people were given the Law--why was it further necessary that there should arise another and different kind of Priest, one after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed after the order and rank of Aaron?

It is BECAUSE the Law and the Levitical Priesthood could not save us that we needed a new High Priest! Look at verses 18-19:

¹⁸So a previous physical regulation and command is cancelled because of its weakness and ineffectiveness and uselessness-- ¹⁹For the Law never made anything perfect--but instead a better hope is introduced through which we [now] come close to God.

The better hope? Verses 21-22:

²¹For those who formerly became priests received their office without its being confirmed by the taking of an oath by God, but this One was designated and addressed and saluted with an oath, The Lord has sworn and will not regret it or change His mind, You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. ²²In keeping with [the oath's greater strength and force], Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better (stronger) agreement [a more excellent and more advantageous covenant].

And verse 25:

²⁵Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.

Jesus is ever making intercession for us from Heaven while we carry out His will and His plan and His purpose here on the Earth! Don't become faint hearted, weary and discouraged! You have a PERFECT High Priest in Heaven Who has already provided for everything you will ever need to fulfill your calling and, by His Spirit, lives continually IN you to lead, guide and direct! You are NOT alone - EVER! AMEN! Now realize that though Jesus IS your High Priest, YOU have the responsibility to be the priest over your own life! Be a GOOD one! Lead yourself in prayer, praise and worship, study and meditation of God's Word! Stay always aware of His presence, because in HIS presence is great fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11 - Amplified).

Isaiah 59:1-2:

¹BEHOLD, THE Lord's hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. ²But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

Under the Old Covenant when the people turned from obeying God's Word, He could not help them or deliver them! Did that make HIM less powerful? Absolutely not! But He could NOT honor their disobedience! God did not desire for man to ever be in this hopeless situation. Verses 15-16:

¹⁵Yes, truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. And the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. ¹⁶And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor [no one to intervene on behalf of truth and right]; therefore His own arm brought Him victory, and His own righteousness [having the Spirit without measure] sustained Him.

What did He do? Verses 19-21:

¹⁹So [as the result of the Messiah's intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives]. ²⁰He shall come as a Redeemer to Zion and to those in Jacob (Israel) who turn from transgression, says the Lord. ²¹As for Me, this is My covenant or league with them, says the Lord: My Spirit, Who is upon you [and Who writes the law of God inwardly on the heart], and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your [true, spiritual] children, or out of the mouths of your children's children, says the Lord, from henceforth and forever.

This Church Age is so unique because we believers in Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, have the Spirit of the Living God on the inside of us! We ARE now the Holy of Holies! We ARE the Temple of God! We can come boldly to the Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16) and it is inside of us! Don't spend a moment OUT of the presence of God! Be aware of His presence in you continually and you will never feel alone again!

Shalom in Him!