Monsoon season in the North American Southwest will bring heavy rains, sometimes interspersed with solid thunderstorms. The Bible mentions a man named Asaph who had a storm of his own going on in his head. He voiced his frustrations in a lament (Psalm 73:12-13):

“This is what the wicked are like—
    always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.”

Human jealousy always gets the better of us. Asaph is implying that God neglects His own people while letting the wicked thrive. Obviously, this is crazy talk, and unwittingly he gives God a bad name by saying that the Lord is unjust and does not care.

Well, nobody is perfect and neither are God’s children, Asaph is no exception; but imperfect believers bear precious cargo – the Spirit of God. His still, small voice points us in the right direction. It is through the Holy Spirit that we know the Lord. We get a new lease on life every time we allow God’s Spirit to speak into our lives.

Taking a break and reaching out to the Lord is apparently what Asaph ended up doing – and his prayers began to change his gloomy point of view. All of a sudden He could recognize light on the horizon where he previously had seen nothing but darkness. Turning his lament into praise, his psalm ends on a much happier note (Psalm 73:28):

“But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
    I will tell of all your deeds.”

This world has seen some pretty dark times, and it is easy to get depressed when the length of a crisis turns into a year with little relief in sight. Let us be smart like Asaph and listen to the Spirit of God. The Lord knows what He is doing and where He is going. Following Him adds purpose to our step.