Friday 1 June, 2018

A maskil of Asaph. 1 O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? 2 Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed— Mount Zion, where you dwelt. 3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. 4 Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs. 5 They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. 6 They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. 7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name. 8 They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. 9 We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. 10 How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever? 11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them! 12 But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth. 13 It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. 14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert. 15 It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers. 16 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. 17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. 18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, Lord, how foolish people have reviled your name. 19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever. 20 Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. 21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. 22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. 23 Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.

God where are you? A question we have all no doubt spoken either out loud or silently. Our Psalmist is not hesitating in doing the same, asking why & telling God what’s been happening, how it feels, reminding him of His promises & covenant.

Verse 12 … two words “But God ….” our Psalmist reminds God of who He is, what he has done in the past – bringing salvation, creating with power. The Psalmist knows it’s not beyond God to make things right, defeat the enemies & make life right again.

This is a timely reminder to do the same. To verbally tell God what’s going on, how I’m feeling about it & to remind him of his promises & words he’s given me in the past. To remind myself & to praise him for all the countless blessings he has brought to my life in the past, encouraging my faith to trust him for my present & future.

Father I thank you that you hear both the silent & verbal questions of our hearts. Thank you that you always surround me no matter what appearances may look like. Thank you for working out the plan & purpose for my life in Jesus. Amen

Written by Suzie Hodgson