Today's reading: Psalm 74, 1 Corinthians 1:20

The title for this Psalm in the AMP Version reads:

“An Appeal against the Devastation of the Land by the Enemy. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of Asaph.”

This Psalm is the expression of great lament in which Asaph expressed the pleas of the Jewish community in the Babylonian captivity. “After the return out of captivity, this was delivered to the sons of Asaph, who were called by his name, for the public service of the church.” (M. Henry Blueletter Bible)

Apparently the psalmist did not know why God was angry with His people and why He let Nebuchadnezzar destroy the temple. They had ignored  what the prophet Jeremiah had warned them regarding the consequences of their behavior: (Here are only a few verses)

“Let everyone beware of his neighbor and do not trust any brother. For every brother is a supplanter [like Jacob, a deceiver, ready to grab his brother’s heel], and every neighbor goes around as a slanderer. ⁵ Everyone deceives and mocks his neighbor and does not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They exhaust themselves with sin and cruelty.⁶ Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit [oppression upon oppression and deceit upon deceit];Through deceit they refuse to know (understand) Me,” says the Lord. ⁷ Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, behold, I will refine them [through suffering] and test them; For how else should I deal with the daughter of My people?”  (Jeremiah 9:4-7)

 

Asaph and the people of his community were being disciplined by their loving Father, and so will we if we fall in complacency and or disobedience:

And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him;

⁶ For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves,

And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].” ⁷ You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for ^[d]what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:4-7 AMP)

For our God: “disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. ¹¹ For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].” (Hebrews 12:10b-11)

 

-How many of us have fallen into a comfort zone thinking all we have to do is keep ourselves from going back into our old life style, and that would be enough and pleasing to God?

 

-How many of us are so busy serving in our Church that we oversee the true motives of our hearts? Are you serving our Lord, or are you serving yourself? (Micah 6:8)

 

We may be serving the people of our community in a religious way but not realizing if we are truly pleasing our Lord and Savior. We might even pray for revival for our Church, but we must first seek that revival in ourselves first.

 

Asaph could not understand why God would not rescue them from the hands of the enemy, but deep down in his heart he knew his God, the God he had known for such a long time would in “His Time” come to the rescue:

Remove Your hand from Your chest, destroy them! ¹² Yet God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.” Psalm 74:11-12

Asaph knew his God was Mighty, Righteous and Faithful, and so in the midst of their suffering he knew that His Salvation would come!

“From the most remote period of Israel's history the Lord had worked out for her many salvations; especially at the Red Sea, the very heart of the world was astonished by his wonders of deliverance.

Now, every believer may plead at this day the ancient deeds of the Lord—the work of Calvary, the overthrow of sin, death, and Hell. He who wrought out our salvation of old will not, cannot desert us now. Each past miracle of grace assures us that he who has begun to deliver will continue to redeem us from all evil. His deeds of old were public and wrought in the teeth of his foes, they were no delusions or make believes; and, therefore, in all our perils we look for true and manifest assistance, and we shall surely receive it.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we humbly come to you recognizing we need the transforming work of Your Holy Spirit in our lives and ask for Your forgiveness! “Come quickly: invade our complacency. We are not satisfied with lifeless religion or dead works. Our highest satisfaction is simply Jesus. We want all of you. We give our lives entirely to You in faith. Control us by Your Spirit, so that we can please You in all Your Will. Pour out to us the blessings of knowing You in your fullness. Fix or eyes and our affections on You…. Father revive our hearts in holiness, faith and humility. As we love you more dearly and You form your holy character in us, help us to faithfully minister  the life of Christ to others in deeds of mercy and grace.” We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen!” (Prayer portions- revival Prayer- The Father’s Business)

Blessings,

Mari