Asaph’s Sense of Responsibility
Asaph wanted to vent his anger and frustration at the injustice and unfairness of life — to shout at the God who permitted it. But he resisted acting on all that was in his heart because he sensed the disillusionment and damage it could cause in the people of God who looked to his example. This is what he meant by the phrase “betrayed the generation of Your children” in vs.15. He knew that his questions, and especially his reaction to them, could and would have far-reaching consequences.
This was a critical point in Asaph’s journey. Here, wisdom & faith supported his agonizing questions, giving him perspective. Even in the middle of his struggle, Asaph tempered his reaction by reflecting on the effect his simmering anger, envy, and doubt could have on the lives of others.

Asaph’s Silent Suffering
Asaph couldn’t reconcile his doubts with his faith, but he was unwilling to endanger others by declaring what was in his heart. So he chose another path: “When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight” (vs. 16). Asaph chose to suffer in silence. He saw the unfairness of life that caused him to struggle with his own fragile faith and must have wondered: Are there answers for my questions? Is there relief for my suffering? Will justice reign in the world? Will it ever all make sense?
There are questions that we simply can’t answer. Sometimes we don’t find the solutions we need until we find ourselves in the presence of God Himself. Asaph continued to struggle; “Until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end” (vs. 17).

Sanctuary
Sanctuary is a place set apart for spiritual protection, rest, and renewal. We all need such a place — a hiding place where our hearts and minds are restored and strengthened for the struggles of today and the challenges of tomorrow. In the Old Testament the word sanctuary refers more to an idea than a place — the idea of the presence of God (see Isaiah 8:14). It is what David longed for in Psalm 23 when he anticipated “quiet waters” (vs. 2) where the Lord his Shepherd would restore his soul. It’s what Christ Himself sought when He moved away from the crowds, the work, and the disciples and went to a mountain alone to spend time with His Father. Asaph discovered sanctuary was the place where he would find answers and restoration.
Asaph went into the sanctuary of God and found new perspective and understanding. Until he entered the sanctuary, Asaph had been overwhelmed by the unfairness of present circumstances. But in the presence of God, everything changed. With his focus on God and not on his own circumstances and perceptions, things came into clearer focus. In the sanctuary, Asaph saw the inequities of life from a different point of view — the day when justice will prevail.
The resolution began when Asaph turned to God not as an object of speculation, but of worship. Worship puts God at the center of our vision. It is vitally important because it is only when God is at the center of our vision that we see things as they really are.
Tomorrow, some answers…