Psalm 74 - 5.5.26

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 74: 1-17 

O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?

Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—Mount Zion, where you dwelt.

Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.

They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.

They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.

They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.

They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.

We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.

How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?

Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.

It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.

It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.

The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.

It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

OBSERVATION

The Psalmist in this passage is lamenting to God about the destruction that is being witnessed. The Psalmist was in a dark place crying out to God because the places of worship were in ruin, and the word of God was not being heard. It appeared that the enemy was gaining the upper hand on God and His people with their success and mocking. In verse 12, the Psalmist acknowledges who God is, and later in the chapter what all God has done for His people despite the challenges. Nothing is too big for God.

APPLICATION 

1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed”.

There may be times when the enemy will appear to have the upper hand in our lives as believers, whether it be to the fault of our own or not. We may also find ourselves in that dark place where the Psalmist was with everything falling apart and not hearing God’s voice or direction, but God is closer than we can imagine. He gave us His Word and His promises. The Psalmist recounted on the many marvelous actions that God did to deliver His people, and He has not stopped delivering His people. The Apostle Peter told his fellow believers to rejoice at such fiery times because the glory of God will be revealed. 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I thank you for walking with us during the fiery trials in our lives. We know that we will face hardships in life just as you did when you walked the earth. I thank you for your Word and the many testimonies that you have revealed to us of your mighty hand. Help us to remember what all that you have done for us and what you doing now in our lives today. I pray for those who are crying out to you. I pray they can hear your voice of comfort and peace, amen.

- Darrence Hamilton