Faith in Focus #36
A reflection from Connection Church and other spiritual events from the week
Faith in Focus is a weekly reflection on what God has been teaching me throughout the week regarding my faith. Whether it’s personal interactions, reading, or the Sunday sermon, God speaks through it all, and I hope this helps you focus on His mission.
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Sermon Reflection
What begins as innocent admiration can quietly grow into envy and eventually erode our trust in God. Psalm 73 exposes the deceptive appeal of worldly ease while reminding us that God's presence is a greater treasure than anything this life can offer.
Based on the sermon by Corey Johnston, Connection Church Sioux Falls, July 12, 2026.
From Admiration to Envy - When Comparison Steals Our Trust In God
Our Summer in the Psalms series welcomed a special guest this week as Pastor Corey Johnston of Heights Community church in Collinsville, Illinois, opened Psalm 73 with a sermon aptly titled, The Illusion of Ease. From the opening moments, it was clear this wasn’t simply a lesson about envy. It was a diagnosis of how our hearts slowly drift away from trusting God.
Corey summarized the progression in three memorable steps.
Admiration births Desire. Desire breeds Envy. Envy bellows Distrust.
It’s a progression every believer has experienced in one form or another. Rarely do we wake up one morning distrusting God. Instead, our hearts drift one small comparison at a time.
The World Behind the Text
Psalm 73 is written by Asaph, one of Israel’s worship leaders. He begins with a confident declaration, “Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart” (Psalm 73:1, ESV).
Yet almost immediately he admits that his feet had nearly slipped because he became fixated on the prosperity of the wicked. Rather than looking upward to God, he looked sideways at everyone else.
Comparison has always been one of Satan’s favorite tools.
Corey connected this reality with Revelation 17:4-7. Even the apostle John, while receiving an incredible heavenly vision, found himself marveling at Babylon, portrayed as a prostitute clothed in luxury and splendor. The angel’s response is simple, “Why do you marvel?” (Revelation 17:7, ESV).
If John could momentarily be captivated by the beauty of the enemy in the middle of a divine vision, we shouldn’t be surprised when our own hearts become distracted by the temporary success and comfort of this world.
The temptation is universal.
Walking the Passage
The heart of Psalm 73 isn’t merely that Asaph noticed the prosperity of the wicked. It’s that he began longing for it.
Verses 4-12 paint a vivid picture of everything that appeared attractive. Their lives seemed free from suffering. Their bodies were healthy. They appeared untouched by hardship. They possessed wealth, influence, and confidence.
At the center of it all was one word. Ease.
Who wouldn’t want that?
Yet Corey challenged us with an important question. Without Christ, does ease ever truly satisfy?
My own experience says no.
The human heart was never designed to be satisfied by possessions, relationships, achievements, or comfort. Every time we obtain the thing we believed would finally satisfy us, another desire quickly replaces it. Envy is never content because it’s fueled by comparison rather than gratitude.
What starts as admiration slowly transforms into believing that God has somehow withheld something better from us.
That’s where distrust begins.
Verse 13 reveals Asaph wrestling with this very thought, “All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence” (Psalm 73:13, ESV).
Notice what’s happening.
Asaph never stopped believing God existed. He simply began questioning whether following Him was worth it.
Belief and trust aren’t always the same thing.
Genesis 3 illustrates this perfectly. Adam and Eve didn’t doubt God’s existence. They walked with Him in the Garden. The serpent’s strategy wasn’t convincing them God wasn’t real. Instead, he convinced them God wasn’t fully good.
The enemy planted distrust.
“If God really loved you,” the serpent implied, “He wouldn’t keep this from you.”
That same lie continues today.
When we compare our lives with others, we begin asking why they seem happier, wealthier, healthier, or more successful. Soon we stop viewing obedience as worship and begin treating it like a contract.
“If I follow God, shouldn’t my life be easier?”
Before long, we’re loving God more for what He can give us than for who He is and what He has already accomplished through Christ.
Our obedience becomes perceived leverage rather than joyful surrender.
A Fair Counter-Reading
Some readers have interpreted Psalm 73 primarily as a meditation on injustice rather than envy. Certainly, Asaph is troubled by the prosperity of wicked people while the righteous suffer. That concern is real and echoed throughout Scripture.
Yet Psalm 73 ultimately shifts the focus inward rather than outward. The greatest problem wasn’t simply that evil people prospered. It was that Asaph’s heart became consumed by what they possessed. His circumstances hadn’t changed, but his perspective had.
The psalm invites us to examine our own hearts before evaluating everyone else’s lives.
The Turn
Everything changes in one remarkable verse.
“But when I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” (Psalm 73:17, ESV)
The circumstances haven’t changed. The wicked are still prospering. Asaph’s hardships haven’t disappeared.
What changes is his perspective.
Standing before God reminds him that earthly prosperity is temporary, while eternal joy belongs to those who belong to the Lord.
Corey shared a statement that continues to echo in my mind.
Giving someone what they envy isn’t grace. It’s wrath.
At first, that sounds startling.
But Scripture repeatedly reminds us that God sometimes allows people to pursue the idols they’ve chosen, not as blessing, but as judgment. Receiving everything we want apart from God isn’t mercy. It’s one of the most terrifying possibilities imaginable.
Thankfully, Psalm 73 doesn’t end there.
Instead, Asaph offers one of the most beautiful confessions in all of Scripture.
“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.” (Psalm 73:23, ESV)
Even after wandering...
Even after envying...
Even after doubting...
God never let go.
That’s the beauty of grace.
Asaph had nearly slipped.
God hadn’t.
Carry It Into the Week
Psalm 73 reminds us that envy isn’t merely wanting what someone else possesses. It’s forgetting what we already possess in Christ.
The cross forever settles the question of God’s goodness.
When Jesus willingly bore our sin, shame, and judgment on Calvary, He demonstrated once and for all that God is for His people. His sacrifice is sufficient for every sin we have committed, every sin we commit today, and every sin we will commit tomorrow.
That doesn’t minimize the seriousness of sin. Rather, it magnifies the greatness of God’s grace.
No matter how long we have wandered.
No matter how deeply comparison has taken root.
No matter how much distrust has grown in our hearts.
Confession remains the invitation. Repentance remains the path home. We can’t out sin the cross.
When admiration begins pulling your eyes toward what someone else has, remember Psalm 73.
When envy whispers that God has forgotten you, remember Psalm 73.
When distrust tells you that obedience is pointless, remember the empty tomb.
The world offers temporary ease.
Christ offers eternal joy.
And those are never the same thing.
Song of the Week: Anchor - Skillet
Skillet was one of the bands that defined a large part of my musical taste growing up in the early 2000s. Their music always seemed to blend hard hitting rock with messages of hope, perseverance, and faith in a way that stuck with me. While their song “Anchor” was released seven years ago already, its message hasn’t aged at all. In fact, it may be even more relevant today as so many people struggle with uncertainty, anxiety, and the feeling that life is constantly shifting beneath their feet.
The central message of the song isn’t hidden behind complicated metaphors or vague lyrics. It’s right there in the title proclaiming God is our anchor. Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as our refuge, our rock, and our firm foundation, and the image of an anchor beautifully captures those truths. Storms will come. Waves will crash against us. Circumstances will change. Relationships may fail, jobs may disappear, and plans can unravel in an instant. Yet through every season, God remains steadfast, holding us securely even when everything around us feels unstable.
One aspect of the anchor analogy that has always stood out to me is that an anchor doesn’t prevent the boat from moving altogether. A boat still rises and falls with the waves. It still sways with the wind and the current. Sometimes it even drifts a considerable distance depending on how long the anchor line is. But despite all that movement, it never becomes completely untethered because the anchor is firmly planted beneath the surface.
I think that’s an accurate picture of the Christian life. There are seasons where we feel incredibly close to God. Reading Scripture feels life giving, prayer comes naturally, and His presence seems unmistakable. Then there are other seasons where we feel like we’re drifting. We become distracted by work, weighed down by disappointment, consumed by worry, or simply exhausted by life. During those moments, it can feel as though God is distant when, in reality, He hasn’t moved at all. The anchor is still exactly where it’s always been. We’re simply feeling the length of the line.
Eventually, though, there comes that familiar tug. Sometimes it comes through a sermon that speaks directly into your circumstances. Sometimes it’s a verse you’ve read dozens of times suddenly taking on fresh meaning. It could be a conversation with a friend, a worship song, or even a quiet moment where the Holy Spirit gently reminds you that you’ve been trying to navigate life on your own. That pull isn’t meant to condemn us for drifting. It’s an invitation to return, reminding us that our security has never depended on how tightly we hold onto God, but on how securely He holds onto us.
That’s why “Anchor” continues to resonate with me after all these years. It reminds me that my hope isn’t found in having perfect faith or flawless consistency. My hope is found in the One who never changes. The storms may come and go, and I may find myself drifting farther than I’d like at times, but God remains faithful. His promises remain true, and His grip never loosens.
So whether you feel like you’re standing on solid ground with the Lord today or whether you feel as though you’ve been drifting for weeks, months, or even years, remember that the anchor hasn’t moved. God is still holding you fast. His grace is still available, His mercy is still new every morning, and His invitation remains the same. Grab hold of the line once again, draw near to Him, and you’ll discover that He’s been there all along, faithfully keeping you secure through every storm.
Week in Reflection
This week has been filled with amazing, albeit exhausting, fun and busyness. Monday started with my usual plasma donation before taking some much needed time to rest in preparation for the rest of the week. Tuesday was spent behind the computer writing articles and editing photos from recent events, catching up on the work that often piles up after a busy stretch. Wednesday brought our regular leadership meeting at Connection, a consistent reminder of the privilege and responsibility of serving alongside others in the life of the church. Thursday shifted gears as I headed out for a photography assignment at The District, capturing another evening of live music and creating content that I genuinely enjoy producing. Friday slowed down just enough to take in the new Christopher Nolan film, Odyssey, before the weekend ramped back up. Saturday found me back at The Levitt for another photography opportunity, and as I write this, Sunday holds the possibility of yet another out of town photography assignment, pending final approval.
Looking at the week on paper almost feels overwhelming, but it’s also a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Every opportunity to write, photograph, serve, and create is ultimately a gift from Him. There were moments where I wondered how everything would get done, yet somehow the articles were written, the photos were edited, the deadlines were met, and there was still enough strength to keep moving forward. God has been incredibly gracious not only in providing the energy to accomplish each task but also by surrounding me with people who encourage me, pray for me, and willingly lend a hand when I need it. None of us are meant to carry life’s responsibilities entirely on our own, and this week was another reminder of that truth.
A schedule like this also reinforces just how essential a Sabbath truly is. It’s easy to think of rest merely as recovery from physical exhaustion, but biblical rest goes far beyond simply catching up on sleep or spending a lazy afternoon at home. A Sabbath is an intentional opportunity to pause, step away from productivity, and remember who God is. It’s a chance to open His Word without glancing at the clock, to spend unhurried time in prayer, to worship, and to simply enjoy His presence. Ironically, while physical rest certainly helps recharge the body, I often find that spiritual rest refreshes me even more deeply. There’s something incredibly renewing about slowing down long enough to remember that my identity is found in Christ, not in how much I accomplish in a week.
Yet even during weeks filled with good things, temptation never seems to take a vacation. It’d be nice if serving, writing about God, attending church, or photographing uplifting events somehow made temptation disappear, but Scripture tells us otherwise. The enemy doesn’t always wait until life is falling apart. Sometimes temptation comes in the middle of success, exhaustion, busyness, or even ministry. Fatigue can lower our defenses, making sinful thoughts and desires seem far more appealing than they otherwise would.
That reality has reminded me once again how desperately I need God’s strength every single day. We’re instructed throughout Scripture not to entertain temptation but to flee from it. Too often, though, I find myself lingering longer than I should instead of running toward Christ. My prayer for everyone reading this is that when temptation comes, you would lean on God immediately, seek His strength, and choose obedience rather than trying to fight in your own power. Sadly, I know there are moments where I have failed to do exactly that, this week included.
The encouraging news is that failure is never the end of the story for those who belong to Christ. Every one of us will fall short because every one of us is a sinner in need of God’s grace. None of us will reach perfection this side of eternity. The question isn’t whether we’ll stumble, but how we respond when we do. Do we isolate ourselves in shame, convinced that God no longer wants anything to do with us? Do we allow guilt to keep us distant from the very One who offers forgiveness? Or do we run toward our heavenly Father, confess our sin, repent, and trust once again in the finished work of Jesus Christ?
The gospel reminds us that repentance isn’t about earning our way back into God’s favor. Christ has already accomplished everything necessary through His death and resurrection. Repentance is simply the response of a heart that loves God and desires to walk closely with Him again. Shame tells us to hide, just as Adam and Eve hid in the garden. Grace invites us to step into the light, confess our sin, and experience the forgiveness that has already been secured through Christ.
As another busy week comes to a close, I find myself grateful for God’s provision, thankful for the opportunities He continues to place before me, and humbled by my continual need for His grace. My prayer is that this coming week we would all work diligently, rest intentionally, flee from temptation quickly, and when we inevitably stumble, remember that our Father is always ready to receive those who come to Him with repentant hearts.
And always remember, God loves you, and so do I.
Connection Church in Sioux Falls is a gospel-centered community committed to helping people follow Jesus through authentic relationships, biblical teaching, and everyday mission. Rooted in historic Christian belief and aligned with gospel renewal movements, the church exists to see lives transformed by Jesus. Learn more: https://siouxfallsconnection.com/who-we-are
