The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 74:22-23,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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"Rise up, O God, and defend your cause;
remember how fools mock you all day long.
Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries,
the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually."
In this psalm Asaph appeals to the Lord's own cause as to why the Lord should judge his enemies. Due to their own continual idolatry and wickedness, Israel and Judah were destroyed by the Lord. The Lord brought this about through Israel's enemies, who were themselves given over to idolatry and wickedness. Now that Judah has been vanquished, on her behalf, Asaph pleads with the Lord to take action against those that destroyed her.
Asaph calls the people who did God's bidding God's adversaries, his enemies. Throughout Scripture we find God often using his enemies to accomplish his purposes. Chief among these accounts were the leaders of Israel who had Jesus Christ put to death, something God intended to accomplish to provide justification for forgiving our sins. The leaders of Israel thought they were putting an end to Jesus Christ but were actually only doing his bidding and fulfilling our Lord's purpose.
God's judgment against those he used to judge Israel and Judah did come just as Asaph asked. God is like that. Over and over in Scripture we find God using even his enemies to accomplish his purposes. God is a just, holy and righteous God, and all who do not find forgiveness in Jesus Christ will face his horrific judgment.
Yes, God loves the world. He has sent his Son so that all who will, can turn to him. To all others let the warning be clear: "For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:30-31.
In this psalm Asaph appeals to the Lord's own cause as to why the Lord should judge his enemies. Due to their own continual idolatry and wickedness, Israel and Judah were destroyed by the Lord. The Lord brought this about through Israel's enemies, who were themselves given over to idolatry and wickedness. Now that Judah has been vanquished, on her behalf, Asaph pleads with the Lord to take action against those that destroyed her.
Asaph calls the people who did God's bidding God's adversaries, his enemies. Throughout Scripture we find God often using his enemies to accomplish his purposes. Chief among these accounts were the leaders of Israel who had Jesus Christ put to death, something God intended to accomplish to provide justification for forgiving our sins. The leaders of Israel thought they were putting an end to Jesus Christ but were actually only doing his bidding and fulfilling our Lord's purpose.
God's judgment against those he used to judge Israel and Judah did come just as Asaph asked. God is like that. Over and over in Scripture we find God using even his enemies to accomplish his purposes. God is a just, holy and righteous God, and all who do not find forgiveness in Jesus Christ will face his horrific judgment.
Yes, God loves the world. He has sent his Son so that all who will, can turn to him. To all others let the warning be clear: "For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:30-31.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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