“Farther Along” (Ready to Worship S7E8)

This season, on Ready to Worship, we are examining songs which help us to prepare our minds for worship. In this podcast, we are going to examine the old favorite, Farther Along.

No doubt, you are familiar with the words of the song. As you recall, the song deals with the fact that there are things in this life that we don’t understand. For example, we don’t understand why we are tempted and tried all the day long while those who are living about us are not molested, even though they are in the wrong. The second verse continues this thought by wondering why we suffer loss, but others prosper living so wicked year after year. These questions are difficult to answer. They can trip up the strongest of saints.

As you may know, Asaph was struggling with these very questions in the 73rd Psalm. We read, “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me” (Psa. 73:1-16). Did you notice Asaph’s language? He spoke of the wicked prospering while he struggled. He admitted that he was envious of the wicked. He admitted that his feet had almost slipped. What kept him from falling? He tells us in the next three verses in the context. We read, “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors” (Psa. 73:17-19). When Asaph went into the sanctuary, he understood the end of the wicked. He understood that it was their feet that were on slippery ground. It was in the sanctuary (in worship) that Asaph understood things better.

As we get ready to worship this week, we can rest in the consolation that we will find answers in the sanctuary. Ultimately, we can rest in the assurance that we will understand it all better by and by.