A Day for Why

(Psa 74:1 KJV)  Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

(Proverbs 16 also read)

As I read through this Psalm I kept looking for a word of hope, something to lift me up.  I didn’t find it.  There are two main summaries you could give for this chapter:  The temple is destroyed and why don’t you do something, God?  It is clear that this is a summary of the situation just before Ezra and Nehemiah return to work on the temple and Jerusalem.

What I saw totally lacking was any acknowledgment of sin or shortcoming on the part of the writer and Israel.  It is as if he had never heard any of the prophets and their calls to repentance.  For him it is an issue of God getting on the stick.  I wonder how often we get like that.  How often do we ignore the clear call of the Holy Spirit to repentance and renewal?  Sources of that message are all around us.

So?  Do a little spiritualizing here.  Are you feeling rejected today?  Are you being smoked?  Yes?  Then maybe it is time to consider your attitude.  No?  Then rejoice in the God of your salvation because this Psalm doesn’t have much to say to you today. 

Psalms of Depression

(Psa 74:21 KJV)  O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.

(Proverbs 14 also read)

This is one depressing Psalm.  I did not check any commentaries but from the language of destruction it seems like this is set after the southern kingdom was deported and Jerusalem destroyed.  Not a happy time and that is reflected in the text.  I would say it is obvious that the writer is devout and faithful yet he is still immersed in the destruction.  That should say something to us today as we are concerned about the way things are going in our country.

Then you come to this verse and the back handed hope that is involved.  It would seem that we can be “oppressed” (1790) and “poor" (afflicted NASB) (6041)and “needy” (34) and still be expected to “praise” (1984b).  Not only is it expected but it is possible.  You might say it is necessary for our spiritual survival.  In my limited experience with persecution I find that spending time in praise gives you a totally different view of the situation.

So?  Get into the habit of praise and thanksgiving when things are not destructive.  It will establish a pattern and habits that can carry over into the times when things really get bad.