Good for Nothing

Asaph nearly lost it. His faith, that is. In a remarkable Psalm he candidly admitted, “My feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold” (Psalm 73:2). Why? Because it looked like he had been good for nothing.

When he saw the arrogant succeed and the faithless prosper, he felt discouraged. Cynically he observed, “This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth” (v. 12). So why try to do what is right? Asaph complained, “Surely in vain have I kept myself pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence” (v. 13).

He could have learned some lessons from the prophet Elijah. Elijah was there on Mount Carmel when God sent miraculous fire from Heaven, shaming the prophets of Baal and proving that the Lord was the true God of Israel. But there was no time to bask in victory, because the wicked queen Jezebel wanted Elijah dead and he had to run for his life. Alone in the desert and exhausted from the journey, he sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” Elijah prayed. “Take my life” (1 Kings 19:4).

Elijah’s experience shows what to do when we feel spiritually depleted and burned out.

First, get some rest. Elijah lay down under the tree and fell asleep. Soon an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” There by Elijah’s head was a cake of bread and a jar of water. After consuming the food God provided, Elijah lay down and slept again, and a second time the angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you” (vv. 5-8). Before sending the prophet back into service, the Lord fed Elijah twice, refreshed him with sleep, and restored his physical strength. Our faith comes under fire when we’re exhausted. It’s been said, “Sometimes the most religious thing a man can do is simply go to bed.”

Next, get back in touch with God. From the desert Elijah went to “Horeb, the mountain of God” (v. 8), also known as Mount Sinai, where God gave the Law to Moses. There the Lord demonstrated his power through wind, earthquake, and fire, but the Lord “was not in” these things. Instead, he spoke through a gentle whisper (vv. 11-13). When we’re feeling burned out, we shouldn’t demand impressive signs from God, but listen for God’s still, small voice through his Word.

Finally,* get back to work*. When he felt exhausted, Elijah wanted to die; but in God’s eyes his life and service weren’t over. Once Elijah had been physically refreshed and spiritually renewed, the Lord sent him to anoint kings and prepare a younger man (Elisha) to succeed him as prophet. Despite his lonely feelings, Elijah was not alone in his desire to serve God, for there were still 7,000 faithful souls “whose knees had not bowed down to Baal” (vv. 15-18).

Asaph learned a similar lesson. At the end of Psalm 73, he realized that while the wicked may prosper for a time, their final destiny will remove them far from God. He remembered the eternal joy found only in the Lord’s presence and promises. Ultimately Asaph concluded, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (v. 26).

Feeling weary and beaten down? Rest up your body. Look up to the Lord. Then get up and get going again—and be good for something.