Spiritual Burnout - When Doing All You Can Isn’t Enough - Lesson 2: Asaph's Story

Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. Psalms 73:1-5 Burnout describes the condition of a person who has become mentally and emotionally exhausted in their reach for success. Spiritual Burn Out – “A state of fatigue or frustration brought about by devotion to a cause, a way of life, or a relationship that fails to produce the expected reward.” 16 David also ordered the Levite leaders to appoint a choir of Levites who were singers and musicians to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman… Asaph… and Ethan… 1 Chronicles 15:16,17 NLT 4 David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship before the Ark of the Lord—to invoke his blessings, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel. 5 Asaph, the leader of this group, sounded the cymbals… 1 Chronicles 16:4-5 NLT 7 On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the Lord… 1 Chronicles 16:7 NLT 37 David arranged for Asaph and his fellow Levites to serve regularly before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, doing whatever needed to be done each day. 1 Chronicles 16:37 NLT 6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. 7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8 They scoff and speak only evil in their pride they seek to crush others. 9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Psalms 73:6-12 13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? 14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. Psalms 73:13-14 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. Psalms 73:15 NLT 17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. 20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Psalms 73:17-20 NLT 21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. Psalms 73:21 NLT “…When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within. Psalms 73:21 NAS 22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. 23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalms 73:22-26 NLT