Envy is something most humans are guilty of, and for most of us it doesn’t go too far. We might envy someone’s new car for a moment, wish we had a bigger house or nicer furniture. But some people go way too far with envy. God knows it can be a real problem so in Exodus 20:17 He tells us not to covet and gives us examples.
Asaph, who wrote this psalm, really had an envy problem. He wrote, “But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone”. Asaph may have been going through a rough time, and maybe he saw other people, friends and family, who were having more trouble than he was, and he was not able to help them. These things can cause a lot of emotional stress. We may wonder why is God not helping me? Asaph wondered, “Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain”.
When we go through troubles, it may seem as though God has abandoned us. One reason we may feel that way is we have not meditated on God’s word, studied His promises or understood that God was using these trials to strengthen our faith. James 1:2-3 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow”.
What helped Asaph was going to church. There he was reminded that when death comes, many people who have everything so good in this life will spend eternity without God. There the poor will not envy the rich. Being in church with other believers, sharing our struggles, listening to God’s promises, and singing His praises can help our faith grow stronger.