April 7, 2015 – Tuesday

Start Time: 5:30 AM

End Time:   5:51 AM

Title: A Maskil of Asaph.

Scripture: Psalm 74:1 – 23

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ This author portrays the wickedness of the people during that time with such reality that we can clearly relate to because we see it happening today as well.  one thing is sure, those times when the writer wrote these psalms were the times of silence.  There were no words or signs from the Lord.  The author started with a question to God, "why have you rejected us forever?"  Then he spoke of the past when God purchased the nation and make them His people, pleading to God to turn against His anger towards them and bring His attention to the enemies who brought these destructions to them.  How many times can we say that we can relate to this?  We see nothing but destruction around us, could be a financial ruin or emotional one.  But the thing is, everything seems to be falling apart in our lives.  Well, this author knows what you feel today. 

The author continued to illustrate what the enemies are doing, how they trash the temple, behaved like crazy men, burned the Lord's temple to the ground.  All these wickedness and yet they get away with it.  Isn't this the truth today?  We see people doing the worse of the things we can think of, not only to other people but even to the Lord, such as using the Name of the Lord in vain, blasphemy, cursing God, etc.  Yet they get to live with no care at all.  It seems like they get away with the sinful things they do to people and to God.

Furthermore, this author spoke of silence from the Lord.  In verse 9, he spoke of no signs, no prophets left.  Asking God, how long will the enemy mock the Lord?  Clearly, this author was passionate with the Lord that he is hurt of the things the wicked people do to God.  Again, this scenario, this feeling is quite familiar and common to us especially today.  It seems like there's no justice.  We hear nothing.

But look at verse 12, this author may depict a clear illustration of the wicked things happening during his time, but what is clearer is his faith in God.  In Verse 12, he said, "But God is my King from long ago, he brings salvation on the earth."  Then the author spoke of what God had done; the glorious things He did for His people then.  This is to remind Him that God is just and He listens and Hears all our cries so despite of the author's frustrations or concerns when it comes to the wicked of his times, he was assured that God is his King and He will bring salvation in His time!  Hallelujah!  The question now is, do we have the same confidence and trust?  That despite of the things we see or experience, we remain steadfast and faithful in God?

In verse 18 to 23, the author spoke to God telling him of what the enemies did.  It seemed like the author was telling the Lord everything the wicked are doing, knowing that God will not tolerate their wickedness and will act soon!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the life of Asaph (if that is his real name).  Thank You because his psalms taught me perseverance and faithfulness.  Lord give me the heart and spirit like this author who despite of the things he sees and experienced, the wickedness of the world, he remained confidence and true to You, knowing that soon You will make Your move.  Thank You Jesus.  In Your Name, I Pray, Amen!