SCRIPTURE: Psalm 74
Faith in God can be severely tested when it seems the opponents of God are winning.
I’ve watched debates between Atheists and Christians, where the Atheists walked all over the Christian.
Reading books like “The God Delusion” (Richard Dawkins) and “God is Not So Great” (Christopher Hitchens), you sense the arrogance and anger (also shown by Christians elsewhere) as they “cut down” God and faith with their words, and many people listen to them.
But in Psalm 74, it went further; God attackers were killing believers and destroying religion.
It’s more like what happened with communism in the 20th century, in the Soviet Union and China.
And believers wondered why God was letting these God-haters triumph.
I have no problem with Dawkins or Hitchens, in fact I think we have a lot to learn from them (a lot of their concerns are legitimate, even if their conclusions are misguided).
Despite claims that God is dead, God is alive; those who posted His obituary have died.
God-haters can’t dethrone God; consider the fall of communism, and the rise of Christianity in China!
When God is denied or attacked, or verbal or physical persecution happens, God is still God.
God may allow times when His opponents seem to win (like when Jesus was on the cross).
But never forget, Jesus is alive and God is still God and nothing can separate us from the love of God.
God is still in charge, and one day He will rise up, and stand up for His cause.
Every knee will bow, every tongue (including Dawkins and Hitchens) will confess that God is God, and Jesus is Lord!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, strengthen my spirit and my faith when it seems that God’s opponents have the upper hand. Remind me that violent words and actions cannot dethrone You, nor can they separate me from You.
1 God, why have you turned your back on us for so long? Why does your anger burn against us? We are your very own sheep.
2 Remember that you chose us to be your own people a long time ago. Remember that you set us free from slavery to be your very own tribe. Remember Mount Zion, where you lived.
3 Walk through this place that has been torn down beyond repair. See how completely your enemies have destroyed the temple!
4 In the place where you used to meet with us, your enemies have shouted, “We’ve won the battle!” They have set up their flags to show they have beaten us.
5 They acted like people cutting down a forest with axes.
6 They smashed all of the beautiful wooden walls with their axes and hatchets.
7 They burned your temple to the ground. They polluted the place where your Name is.
8 They had said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where you were worshiped in the land.
9 You don’t give us miraculous signs anymore. There aren’t any prophets left. None of us knows how long that will last.
10 God, how long will your enemies make fun of you? Will they attack you with their words forever?
11 Why don’t you help us? Why do you hold back your powerful right hand? Use your strong arms to destroy your enemies!
12 God, you have been my king for a long time. The whole earth has seen you save us over and over again.
13 You parted the Red Sea by your power. You broke the heads of that sea monster in Egypt.
14 You crushed the heads of the sea monster Leviathan. You fed it to the creatures of the desert.
15 You opened up streams and springs. You dried up rivers that flow all year long.
16 You rule over the day and the night. You created the sun and the moon.
17 You decided where the borders of the earth would be. You made both summer and winter.
18 Lord, remember how your enemies have made fun of you. Remember how foolish people have attacked you with their words.
19 Don’t hand Israel, your dove, over to those wild animals. Don’t forget your suffering people forever.
20 Honor the covenant you made with us. Horrible things are happening in every dark corner of the land.
21 Don’t let your suffering people be put to shame. May those who are poor and needy praise you.
22 God, rise up. Stand up for your cause. Remember how foolish people make fun of you all day long.
23 Pay close attention to the shouts of your enemies. The trouble they cause never stops.
Observations/Application
God always was and is and always will be God.
This Psalm reminds me when the Lord wanted to destroy Israel for their waywardness but Moses intervened and pleaded for the people saying what would the nations say about this mighty God who delivered them out of Egypt land?
The Psalmist here remembers. He also proclaims that the evidences of worship are destroyed. Where is God in all this destruction? Where is God in all of this?
God is God always. It is He who created all things. He is in control. I have His promise because His Word is Truth. God is the Ruler yet and one day, a day that will come, all will see that my God reigns. He is the Victor and He is in charge.
Prayer
Help me daily at all times to see Your faithfulness and power. Continue to lead and guide me when all is dark by Your Spirit. Thank You that You never let go for You have promised to be there always and always.
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend.