Focal Points 

Pastor Duck's Weekly Column

Taiwan Church News 2680, July 7-13, 2003 

Translated by David Alexander 

Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart. 

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; 

My steps had nearly slipped. 

For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (Psalm 73:1-3) 

Last summer A-tat participated in a youth organization's summer camp. One day they rented bicycles and rode from their conference grounds to a lake. They had to go up a hill first. All were glad, when reaching the top, to see their destination at the bottom of the hill. The road went straight to it before curving to follow the shore. 

Riding down the hill was easier than riding up. As he coasted along A-tat enjoyed looking at the sky and scenery. Lost in his revelry, he forgot to follow the road around the curve, and landed in the water. 

When we allow our attention to be diverted, we can get hurt. If, like the writer of Psalm 73, we "envy the arrogant and the prosperity of the wicked" we can easily stumble. Arrogant and wicked people may present us with interesting objects for diversion, but concentrating the "upright and pure in heart" will influence us in the direction of goodness and Godliness. 

Prayer: Defend us, O God, against our own tendency to concentrate on the wicked and arrogant, and help us to see your goodness in the upright and pure in heart. AMEN