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 79:1-4,
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.
"O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us."
These were horrific times for the people of Israel. Not only had their nation been divided north and south with the northern 10 tribes wiped out, the remaining ones had been vanquished, with only a remnant carried off to Babylon after Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed. Asaph's words here make clear just how desperate these remaining captive Jews were.
And, yet, it was the Lord who had brought all of this destruction on them. They had rejected God and pursued the worship of the idols of their neighbors. They now lived in the midst of God's judgment. "How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?" Verse 5.
Having finally gotten their attention in a big way they now plead with the Lord, "Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, God our Savior…" Verses 8-9a.
The Lord had determined to make some adjustments to the mindset of his people and he certainly was very effective at it. I am reminded of what he says in Isaiah 55:10-11, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
When the Lord decides to make some changes or accomplish whatever it is he desires, he certainly is overwhelmingly effective at it.
The Lord is not to be trifled with!
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us."
These were horrific times for the people of Israel. Not only had their nation been divided north and south with the northern 10 tribes wiped out, the remaining ones had been vanquished, with only a remnant carried off to Babylon after Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed. Asaph's words here make clear just how desperate these remaining captive Jews were.
And, yet, it was the Lord who had brought all of this destruction on them. They had rejected God and pursued the worship of the idols of their neighbors. They now lived in the midst of God's judgment. "How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?" Verse 5.
Having finally gotten their attention in a big way they now plead with the Lord, "Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, God our Savior…" Verses 8-9a.
The Lord had determined to make some adjustments to the mindset of his people and he certainly was very effective at it. I am reminded of what he says in Isaiah 55:10-11, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
When the Lord decides to make some changes or accomplish whatever it is he desires, he certainly is overwhelmingly effective at it.
The Lord is not to be trifled with!
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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