When I’m feeling just a little envious of others, a little prideful of my experience with God or a little sorry for myself, the 73rd Psalm usually comes to my mind. I especially like to dwell on the 17th verse; “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” I find that meditating on that verse vindicates every unhappy circumstance of my life. Yes, I may have to suffer more than others, but understand their end. I may have to struggle to put food on the table, while others travel in jets, but understand their end. I may have to say no to some types of “fun”, but understand their end.
This morning, Psalms 73:17 popped into my head in reference to a posting on a social network. My first thoughts were of shock and disgust and a desire to banish them from my “friends.” After all, I want to keep my page pure and holy. I definitely don’t want to advertise websites that lead to destruction. As I began to think how far sin will take an individual, God began to speak to me using the last part of the verse; but understand their end. I realized that shock and disgust are not useful to God, but love and compassion can soften the hardest heart.
When Jesus hung on the cross, he suffered shame because He understood our end. Sin was disgusting to the holiness of God, but He understood our end. He said Father; forgive them, because He understood our end. Then He died for your sins and mine when He understood our end. When God understood our end, He went into action, for He was not willing that any should perish. It wasn’t vengeance that sent Him to Calvary, it was love and compassion.
Spend a few minutes today thinking about your lost loved ones, friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Understand their end without God and let love and compassion spur you to action. Take the time to plead the blood of Jesus over their lives and pray that their end will be changed.
