Psalm 79

Scripture  Psalm 79:8-9 & 13  Do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us;

Let Your compassion come quickly to meet us, For we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake...So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture will give thanks to You forever; To all generations we will tell of Your praise. Observation-What does it say?  “Asaph is featured prominently in Chronicles. He is described as the chief of the Levites appointed to minister before the ark of the Lord, and he and his brothers are appointed to sing the songs of thanksgiving to the Lord (1Chr 16:4-7)” (bibleodyssey.org).  This psalm dates to the time of Israel’s exile and the captivity of Judah by Babylon (near 600 BC).  It is a prayer for the forgiveness of Israel and for God’s judgement on their neighboring countries who have dealt harshly with them.  Israel suffered exile because of the continued sins over generations.  Asaph prays for God’s people to be brought near to His glory, so His great name will go forth for generations to come.   Understanding-What does it mean?  Not that long ago, I found a piece of my sports equipment broken and hiding in our backyard (it was so important to me that I don’t even remember what it was).  I had a sneaking suspicion that one of my boys had used it and accidentally broken it.  But, instead of coming clean about the issue, they tried to hide it and act as if it hadn’t happened.  While normally I could go a little off the deep end about these types of incidents, I was able to gather myself this time and ask what happened calmly.  A little to my surprise, it wasn’t a straight disaster when the item broke.  They boys had a minor problem and tried to fix it, which unfortunately made the problem irreparable.  Embarrassed, they put the item somewhere that they thought I wouldn’t see it.Sometimes, we act the same way with our sins.  God gives us directions on how to live, but then we try to shortcut those plans or act as though we can do it better.  In our pride, when we totally fail we try to hide it, usually with another bad decision.  In time, we have walked so far from what God intended for us and are paying the price for it.  These are the times when we need to come to God with humility and cry out, “Draw me back to you.”  We, like Paul, are often at odds with our own body.  “ I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.  For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members”(Romans 7:21-23).  In these times, we must learn to rely on the Holy Spirit. Life Application  “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)  Through God, we are more than conquerors.  In him we will not only move past our sin, but we will also overcome death and be wrapped up in His glory for all time, “for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’”(Acts 17:28).  God help me to rely on this fully everyday and live as your child, not as a slave to sin.    
-Tyler Galloway

Psalm 78

Scripture

 

Psalm 78:7 NLT

“So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

In this psalm that Asaph writes, he reminds the people of Israel to remember all the glorious things that God has done for them. He encourages them to teach each generation about God’s might, power, and ways so that each generation will know God, follow God, and love God.

Asaph also reminds them of their ancestors who were stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful towards God. How they provoked God’s anger and wrath, and what had happened to them. In short, Asaph wants the people of Israel to learn from their ancestors' mistakes, remember God’s ways, and to tell each future generation to come about God’s might, power, and love.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Discipleship begins at home.

 My wife and I always say our number one ministry is our kids. We want to make sure that they grow up knowing God, loving God, and serving God. I hope and pray also that it will be something they do, not because they feel “forced” to do it, but because they want to do it. God has blessed us with these kids of ours, and we only really have a short time with them before they grow up and become adults. So why not make it a priority to disciple them the way God intended?! Why not teach them at an early age, before the world’s ways try to get hold of them?! I hope and pray that my wife and I are able to build a good and solid Christ-like foundation in our home, which our daughters grow to love. Lord willing, they too can someday, (not till they’re at least 26 years old ), teach their own kids about God’s love for them.

“But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”-Joshua 24:15b

Life Application

Take time to pray for the kids in your life.

Father God, I pray for Your wisdom and guidance. Help me find ways to continue to teach my kids about Your love. Help me to build an atmosphere here at home that centers around You. I pray for them as they head out into the world. May You surround them with good people. I pray for our Kid’s Church Ministry. Continue to give them ways to help teach these children of ours, fun and relatable ways to learn about You, and how to apply these lessons in their own lives. I also want to pray for all the parents. I pray that we continue to make it a priority to put You number one in our homes. May we live it out in a way that influences our kids to do the same when they get older. May Your ways supersede the world’s ways in our families' lives. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

-Moses Gaddi

Psalm_77

Scripture

 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77:1-6‬ ‭‬‬

 

“I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now.”

 

Observation-What does it say? 

 

This is a psalm of Asaph. In this psalm the author writes of his yearning for God’s help in the midst of all of life’s struggles. He writes how he feels his prayers are unanswered, that God has turned away from him, and forgotten him in his time of need. But just as Asaph seems to be losing hope, he remembers all the times that God had been faithful. He remembers God’s holiness. He remembers God’s might! Then this psalm from Asaph which began with him feeling hopeless, turns out being a psalm of hope and praise! 😊

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Jesus turns my fears into faith!

 

As I was reading this psalm, I related so much to it. I hate to admit it, but this whole pandemic thing has gotten me depressed. Then to add all the violence and disunity in this world, (especially in this nation alone), it would really leave me feeling frustrated and down. Then to add on top of that, all of life’s other struggles and stresses that seemed to kick me down, when it seemed I was turning the corner on the other stuff. I too, like Asaph, would question God if he turned away from me. “What is going on God?”, I would ask. Or “When is this season of life going to be over?” I just wanted things to go back to the way they used to be.

 

Then I too, like Asaph, would remember God’s faithfulness. I would remember all of the times God had been there for me and gotten me out of bad situations. I would remember His provision and protection in my life. I would remember all His blessings as I would look around me. Then finally I would remember His love for me. I would turn to His Word, read my Bible and see just how much He loves me. It would really change my mindset in life when I would do that. Remembering what God did for me on the cross, by sending Jesus to die for my sins, helped me remember that even Jesus wasn’t exempt from going through life’s struggles. That Jesus would get His strength from God. That Jesus overcame the world and overcame death! That I too can do the same by putting my hope and trust in Him. That with Jesus on my side, I can do all things! All these things God has reminded of these past couple of weeks, has brought me peace, and has brought me hope to continue running the race of life.

 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”-‭‭John‬ ‭16:33

 

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”-‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:13

 

Life Application

 

Continue to look to God in prayer and reading His Word.

‬ ‭

Thank You God for Your faithfulness. Thank You for always being there, never leaving me or forsaking me. Thank you for Your Living Word that speaks to me and reminds me just how great and mighty You are. Thank You Jesus for Your unconditional love. Forgive me for doubting or questioning You. I know You will use all these things going on in my life right now for good, if I continue to put my faith and trust in You. May You continue to mold me into the man You want me to be. May You continue to use me to bring glory and honor to Your name. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 

-Moses Gaddi

‭