Dr. Ray Pritchard Christian Blog and Commentary

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Song of a Slipping Saint

  • Dr. Ray Pritchard
    Dr. Ray Pritchard is the president of Keep Believing Ministries, an Internet-based ministry serving Christians in 225 countries. He is the author of 29 books, including Stealth Attack, Fire and Rain,… More
  • Updated Feb 24, 2011



Have you ever stopped believing?

It can happen to any of us at any time because life is hard and sometimes very strange.

If you live long enough, your faith is bound to be challenged many times. Psalm 73 tells the story of a godly man who felt his faith slipping away. Even though these words were written 3000 years ago, they might as well have been written today. We may read these words and say, "I was just like Asaph except for this. He kept his faith, but I lost mine. He found God again. I don't know what I believe anymore."

If you have ever struggled with the perplexities of life, this is a psalm for you. If you ever felt your faith beginning to slip away, read on and we'll learn about a godly man who faced what you are facing now. 

The superscription tells us that this is a psalm by Asaph. We know from elsewhere in the Old Testament that he was a worship leader at the temple in Jerusalem during the days of King David. As I considered that fact, I realized that many of the musicians I have known have had a unique sensitivity of spirit that comes from thinking and feeling deeply. You might call Psalm 73 "the view from the choir loft." In this psalm Asaph invites us to go with him on his journey from doubt to faith.

This psalm has two parts: a question and an answer. In the first fourteen verses Asaph wonders why the wicked seem to do so well in the world. Then in the last fourteen verses we see faith leading him from despair and anger to peace and acceptance.

You can read the rest of the message online.

You can reach the author at ray@keepbelieving.com. Click here to sign up for the free weekly email sermon.