Elective Perspective

 January 13, 2021

In Psalm 73, the writer speaks of his despair over the “success” of evil in the world. Such despair is a natural reaction to the demonization of those with whom we disagree, all the while giving ourselves a pass. In the psalm, he speaks of powerful people who crush the common folk underfoot, with little fear of retaliation. After all, what can the little person do? We are to the powerful, as one prominent politician once said, “a basket of deplorables,” who to them exist only as vote fodder.

Only when he went to the house of God was this writer able to gain a proper perspective. We can never get God’s perspective of this world if we don’t ever sit in heavenly places in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:6). In the spiritual realm, we are already there, but too often, instead of sitting down with Jesus, I’m up, pacing around, not paying attention. The view from this world of ours is narrow and limited by all the stuff that surrounds us, both material and immaterial. When we are surrounded, we can only see what’s in our immediate vicinity, and that is the cause of much of our distress.

I live in a gully. Behind our house is a fifty feet (perhaps more) embankment just the other side of the creek. It’s the same in the front, except for the creek. If I look down the street to the south, I can see maybe three hundred yards, maybe half that if I turn around to look north. If I want to see any distance, I have to climb or drive up to the top of the hill where I can see for miles. On the hilltop, I can see the fog settling in the valley below, and the next ridge miles to the west. Where we stand determines what we see.

The Psalmist had to climb the mountain to the house of God in order to see beyond the politics and problems of his world. We must do the same. But what do we see from that vantage point?

Psalm 103 shows us. A heavenly perspective turns our gaze to God himself, who remembers, forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, and satisfies us. (vv. 2-5). This is the blessing given to those who turn from this world to enter God’s holy sanctuary. In addition, he “executes righteousness and justice for the oppressed” (v. 6). 

For years, we’ve listened to the posturing of politicians claiming to stand for justice. They make promises they have no intention of keeping unless it benefits them in some way. The more we look to them, the more jaded we become. The answer is still before us: “When I went to the house of God...” This is no casual stroll; we must fight our way through demonic obstacles, distractions, and our own inertia. The house of God is not for the faint of heart. The Holy One is not easily approachable; only through the merits of Jesus Christ can we draw near. But he bids us come, bearing our cross, humbly bowing before him that we may stand strong in the evil day.