June 8 - Psalms 80-83
The theme of Psalm 80 is restoration. There are three identical choruses in this song, and in each one the psalmist calls for God to restore His people. This is an urgent plea from the psalmist, because the need for restoration means that once God had been blessing them, but now He was not blessing His people. Therefore, they knew what they were missing. This always gives people more pain as they remember the "good ole days." The psalmist also knows the solution to the problem. If God would cause His face to shine upon them, everything would be alright. If God smiles at you and grants you His favor, your life will be blessed. The problem with Israel at this point, and the problem with us many times, is that we are making God very sad, and He can't bring Himself to smile at us or to give us favor, because of our sinful lifestyle. In other words, the solution to restoration lies in us.
Asaph realizes the need for total faithfulness to God, and he proclaims that in Psalm 81. He reminds the children of Israel to have no other gods. God is watching to see if the people will turn only to Him, and then He will fill them. God is waiting to see if they will listen to Him, then He will direct them. It is the same way with us today. We can't expect the blessings of God when we are worshiping other gods and going our own way without listening to God.
In Psalms 82 and 83 Asaph is very direct with God. He is tired of seeing the poor oppressed and the enemies in control, and he wants to know why God is not acting. His question in 82:2 is almost blasphemous. God does not judge unjustly or show partiality to the wicked. What is he saying? These two psalms remind me of the book of Job. The anguish of God's people is so great because of their trials that they are desperate to see God work. Asaph can't understand God's seeming inaction, so he speaks very directly to Him about the problem. We should not accuse God of sin when we pray, but we should be able to pour out the questions of our hearts to Him and to know He will understand our pain. If our honest questions are a part of seeking for God with all of our hearts, He will answer us. If our questions are rebellion against Him, He will be silent. In my opinion the psalmist is being honest with the Lord here, but he trying to get the Lord to act quickly, when many times God does not act quickly. I would urge you not to become impatient with God. Show Him your heart of faith and trust even in the bad times.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 84-87.
Asaph realizes the need for total faithfulness to God, and he proclaims that in Psalm 81. He reminds the children of Israel to have no other gods. God is watching to see if the people will turn only to Him, and then He will fill them. God is waiting to see if they will listen to Him, then He will direct them. It is the same way with us today. We can't expect the blessings of God when we are worshiping other gods and going our own way without listening to God.
In Psalms 82 and 83 Asaph is very direct with God. He is tired of seeing the poor oppressed and the enemies in control, and he wants to know why God is not acting. His question in 82:2 is almost blasphemous. God does not judge unjustly or show partiality to the wicked. What is he saying? These two psalms remind me of the book of Job. The anguish of God's people is so great because of their trials that they are desperate to see God work. Asaph can't understand God's seeming inaction, so he speaks very directly to Him about the problem. We should not accuse God of sin when we pray, but we should be able to pour out the questions of our hearts to Him and to know He will understand our pain. If our honest questions are a part of seeking for God with all of our hearts, He will answer us. If our questions are rebellion against Him, He will be silent. In my opinion the psalmist is being honest with the Lord here, but he trying to get the Lord to act quickly, when many times God does not act quickly. I would urge you not to become impatient with God. Show Him your heart of faith and trust even in the bad times.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 84-87.