March 15

Psalm 74
Sometimes it feels like the anger of the Lord is billowing up like smoke against us. The Psalmist certainly felt that way. It is common for wolves and coyotes to seek to kill the sheep, but not the shepherd. Yet apparently the Lord has allowed a nation to attack the temple and burn its doors. Therefore, Asaph attributes this act to the Lord. There are a few times when the temple was burned by an enemy. Perhaps it was during the reign of Rehoboam when Shishak Pharaoh of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and plundered the temple. Perhaps it is in reference to the exile of Nebuchadnezzar. Perhaps it was some other time. Whichever era it was, it is time of soul searching. It was time of loss, terror and pain.
“Have respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty.” Asaph knows that the Lord is able to deliver. So, it is a matter of “why hasn’t the Lord delivered yet”? It appears that the Lord has chosen not to deliver. So Asaph appeals to the covenant. Also, Three times in this Psalm he asks the Lord to remember: 1) His congregation (v2); 2) The enemy has blasphemed the name of the Lord (v.18); 3) The reproach of the foolish man. It is an appeal from Asaph to the glory of God. How does it reflect upon God’s glory when His people suffer? Asaph’s perspective is that it demeans God’s glory; therefore, He appeals to the covenant asking God to intervene for the sake of the covenant.
From a New Testament perspective, we are called to share in the New Covenant, which implies a sharing in His suffering. Our suffering can magnify His glory as the world sees us willing to suffer for His name and the sake of His righteousness. On the other hand, if our suffering is the result of the discipline of God for our own foolishness, then our suffering demonstrates the justice of God. Sometimes the dark haunts of cruelty extend even into our own being resulting in foolish behavior which God must discipline in order to remove it from our lives for His glory. Arise O God and plead your cause! Glorify Your name! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John