PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 83
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“So that they will seek your name.” (Psalm 83:16)
Asaph is pleading for justice, for the abusers to be punished.
Make them “like dung on the ground”, “like chaff before the wind.”
“Terrify them with your storm”, “cover their faces with shame”.
There’s no room for mercy, “May they ever be ashamed and dismayed.”
I won’t criticize this victim, or any victims, for their anger.
And God inspired him to write this, so God is OK with it too.
But there is this one line that seems to express mercy too.
Show your justice SO THAT they will seek your name.
God told Moses what his ‘name’ (reputation) was (Exodus 34:6-7):
Compassion, grace, patience, love, faithfulness, forgiveness.
If these abusers seek God’s name, they will be changed by it.
Asaph is praying, ‘do whatever it takes to purge them by your love!’
If we truly understood God’s love, we would stop being unloving!
May the Lord purge us all with the fire of his love!
PRAYER
Lord, we need to experience the fire of your love, not to burn us but to purge us. For the sake of all ‘victims’, Purge the ‘abuser’ in all of us!
Many times it seems that things conspire against us. Especially then we need to cling to our faith and trust in the Lord – for the Lord does care about us and what is happening in our lives. God does work out things for good – we need to recognize that and we need to “Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” We do that by staying steadfast in our trust.. Lord help me to not be anxious but to trust in you – that you will work things out for good. Our plans are in your hands – and that is the best place to be!
Seek the Lord while He may be found.
Where do I see God in the events/happenings of today? This is God’s world and He is in charge. With the ‘fires’ going on today, nation against nation, people devouring one another, people chasing after the wind, the groanings of the earth – may their eyes be opened to see that they are chasing after the wind becoming nothing. They need to see You Lord in all the happenings in this creation of Yours. Help me daily to seek Your face. Help me daily to live for You.
Purify my heart, let me be as gold
And precious silver
Purify my heart, let me be as gold
Pure gold
Refiner’s fire, my heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart, cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin
Deep within