Worship matters deeply to God because it reflects how we see Him, impacts our present and future, and reveals the state of our hearts. Not only is it a spiritual thermometer, revealing our desire for God, but it’s also a thermostat, realigning us to His presence even in life’s toughest moments. But what happens when we don’t feel like worshiping?  

Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, wrestled with this same problem. He knew God was good (v1), but he nearly stumbled (v2) when he saw evil people prosper while the faithful suffered. Like many of us today, he asked God, “Why do the wicked thrive while I struggle?” This is an inner conflict that many Christians struggle with today, especially when suffering strikes. Many religions offer different answers to the reason for suffering – karma, detachment, punishment, or even meaninglessness – but God offers hope. In a world broken by sin, God uses suffering redemptively. Because Jesus suffered unjustly, He knows our suffering, and one day, God will eventually remove suffering completely.  

In the first part of Psalm 73, Asaph honestly poured out his pain to God, but things changed in verse 17 when he entered the sanctuary. In God’s presence, he gained a new perspective. He saw the eternal reality: the wicked may flourish now, but their end is destruction (Psalm 73:18-22). He was also confronted with his sinfulness, senselessness, and ignorance. 

Worship brings us into God's presence, and His presence changes everything. Like David (Psalm 27:4) and Paul (Philippians 1:21), Asaph realized that God Himself is the greatest treasure, not comfort, success, or an easy life, but God’s presence, assured security, and guidance.  

Asaph ends his psalm with a powerful truth. He declares, “The nearness of God is my good...I will tell of all Your works” (Psalm 73:28). So, when you feel confused, discouraged, or alone, worship. We worship because it reminds us of God’s truth (Psalm 16:11), because it brings rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28), because it lifts us out of our despair and into hope, and because it recalibrates our heart, minds, and actions. God sees you, walks with you, and one day, He will make all things right. The best is yet to come.