Wisdom must be shared, it must be given, or else it lies cold upon the rocks.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Californios)
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
–1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV)
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Do something! Have you ever told that to the Lord? Just do something! Not in a mean way, but in anguish, in frustration, when it seems that everything is going wrong and against you. Psalm 74 is one of Asaph in his anguish. Why is God so unjust to Israel? But Asaph didn’t have the complete picture; his perspective was limited. Israel was God’s chosen people, yet they chose to dabble in the idolatry of the cultures around them.
1 — O GOD, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
2 — Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, the tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed–this Mount Zion where You have dwelt.
3 — Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.
4 — Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; they set up their banners for signs.
5 — They seem like men who lift up axes among the thick trees.
6 — And now they break down its carved work, all at once, with axes and hammers.
7 — They have set fire to Your sanctuary; they have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.
8 — They said in their hearts, “Let us destroy them altogether.” They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land.
9 — We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet; nor is there any among us who knows how long.
10 — O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?
11 — Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.” (NKJV)
Nations were mocking God. The people of Israel had accepted their customs and cultures and now were paying the penalty for doing so–the consequences were heavy and Asaph, Jeremiah, and others were crying out for the Lord to do something.
George O. Wood points out five consequences of disobedience that is shown in these verses.
1) God’s rejection–when people reject God, God has the right to reject them.
2) Hopelessness–the Temple was in ruins. Look at your life–the Temple of the Holy Spirit–what condition is it in. “Though time erases most ruins, self-destructive choices have a way of creating long-term havoc on ourselves and others.”
3) Powerlessness–the backsliding had taken time, but now it seems to roll more quickly. Devastation comes when people do their own thing rather than obey God’s commands.
4) Spiritual abandonment–God’s presence seemed far removed. What is the state of the church you attend? Does the Holy Spirit move? What is your own personal state with God, does the Holy Spirit move?
5) Frustration–God could deliver, but dare He? He could change your circumstances, but why should He? In verse 11 it is shown that God does not even begin to move His strong right hand of deliverance. The people had to pay the price of disobedience.
Look at your life and those around you. Are they accepting the cancel culture? Are they following the ways of the world, letting the deceptions of Satan sneak into their lives and those of their family? Take for example the utter immorality that Disney is now promoting. How many Christians will continue to support this ungodly company? Do the Christians, the people of God, that you know dabble in the idolatry of the culture around them?
“From the depths of nature’s blindness,
From the hardening power of sin,
From all malice and unkindness,
From the pride that lurks within;
By thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.”
–John James Cummins