PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 78
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I will open my mouth with a parable…” (Psalm 78:2)
In Psalm 78 Asaph uses their history as a dramatic life lesson.
Jesus used parables in the same way – as dramatic life lessons.
In this Psalm, Asaph says that God is the one doing the punishing.
In one of Jesus’s parables, God is like an unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8).
God is not an unjust judge, nor is God a warrior with a sword.
But God does allow people to choose their own way, for better or worse.
Like Jesus’s other parable, where the father lets his son leave home.
In that parable God is like a father waiting on the porch.
God does more than just wait, but the point is that God is patient.
God allows us to experience both choices and consequences.
Through it all, God is working to bring us back to our senses.
I don’t blame God for all the bad that happens (like Asaph does).
But I do see God using whatever happens to teach me wisdom!
God shows me what life is like without God, to compel me back!
PRAYER
Lord, life without you may seem better, but it is not. Help me to choose you and your way, so that I may experience the good consequences of life with you!
“Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath…Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.” God proves his patience – and it tells me that no matter what I can turn to him – like the prodigal son that I am! Lord, I praise you for you patience with me – oh do forgive me when I vex you – in Jesus’ name!
Man has a choice – to serve the living God or serve the gods they make. The psalmist once again reviews the mighty acts Lord God did for His people, but the people lost their way. They dd what was right in their own eyes. Time and time again the people put the Lord to test, deserting His way for their own desires. But time and time again, through their hardships the people returned to God. Help me daily Lord to see Your hand upon me so that I daily journey in Your SonShine.
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.