Confessions of a worship leader

1 Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.4 For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.5 They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment.7 Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish.8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily.9 They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.10 Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them.11 And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?"12 Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence.14 For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me-17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.20 As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.21 Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.

Asaph begins this Psalm by making confession - My feet had almost stumbled and my foot almost slipped. Many times leading worship, many times as a Pastor I can say the same, my feet had almost stumbled, and my foot almost slipped. What God showed me in this I want to share with you today.

Our perception: Psalm 73:3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Scripture here says he "saw". How many times have we looked out from the platform and "saw" or perceived things to be a certain way? Perception is something we will always deal with, much discussion has been made regarding the scripture "man judges the outward appearance, but God judges the heart." Our perception is always based on outward appearances, based on some unwritten standard we have imposed. So and so is not worshiping because they are not lifting their hands. Such n such is not worshiping because they are not singing. You know who has a bad attitude because they are not paring attention. How am I supposed to lead people into the presence of God when all this =
"distraction" is taking place?

Asaph saw the prosperity of the wicked, or he perceived their prosperity based on a set of standards that he had placed on them. Standards that were his mindset. When we use our physical eyes, through our own perception, we only damage ourselves. We need to get into the mindset that God is the one who judges, we are only to lead. We are not called to perceive anything, only to worship. We cannot enter and open the doors of heaven ourselves when we are looking on the appearance of man.
The next 8 verses describe in detail what Asaph perceived, the condition of those around him. That which he "saw" with his physical eyes.
From perception to discouragement : Psalm 73:13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence.
When Asaph turns his face toward the perception of his eyes, satan comes and brings discouragement. "surely your wasting your time, your living a life for God and serving him for no reason. It is a waste of time!" Turn your face from God and serving him towards perception and watch satan come with discouragement. Can you hear it? Can you hear the whispers in your mind? Have you felt the discouragement when you felt the congregation was not worshiping like they should? One of the tools satan has used through out time to bring down the leaders God has called is to discourage them. Don't let satan discourage you!
From discouragement to murmuring and complaining - Psalm 73:14 For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. In his statement Asaph show the complaint about his role. He claims that all day long he is plagued. All day long he is under opposition when he is trying to fulfill his calling. Ever find yourself complaining about people and situations within your church, your team, your life while you are trying to fulfill God's call? Discouragement will always lead to complaining.
Recognition - Psalm 73:15-16 If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me-

Asaph recognized that his attitude was a stumbling block, both to him, but more importantly, he recognized that he was a stumbling block to God's people. We need to recognize where we are at. Are we leading or tripping God's people? Recognition leads to a change in our perception by one path - Psalm 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. When we enter in to the sanctuary, when we enter in to the presence of God, God is allowed to change our perspective. Then next 3 verses shows a different view point. A change of perspective.
A change in perspective - Psalm 73:21-24 21 Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. "oh God how foolish and ignorant I was" Sometimes we need to repent and say oh God how foolish I have been. Forgive us Lord!
Repentance brings worship - Psalm 73:25-26 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Anybody ever sang this song in your church? Asaph worshiped God after he had a change of perspective and repented.

I hope this little tidbit ministers to you all as it did me when I wrote it. I really needed a perspective change about some situations I was dealing with. God Bless!

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