PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 78
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility.” (Psalm 78:49)
I believe that Asaph was inspired to write these words.
But I also believe that he is describing God in human terms (see v.65).
He blames Israel’s suffering on God’s anger unleashed.
We can relate to unleashed anger when someone provokes us for too long.
But in actual fact, it is God’s love – not wrath – that is at work here.
The consequences of sin are so harsh, it seems to us as if God is raging mad.
But think about it, if God were actually mad us, we would be eternally dead.
God is at work in this world, not to punish us but to rescue us.
God does not end suffering but steps into it to overcome it.
God allows us the freedom to receive or reject the help he offers.
God even allows us the freedom to wrestle, to misunderstand or to blame him.
But through it all God does not let go, and holds the door of hope open.
It may feel as if God is angry, but it is ‘burning love’, not anger at work.
Behind everything that happens are the words, ‘for God so loved the world!’
PRAYER
Lord, from our perspective God seems angry, even mean. Forgive us for seeing God like ourselves. Remind me that everything you do is the expression of God’s love.
“trust in his deliverance”- God delivered his chosen people many times and each time, in time, it wasn’t long that people forgot. Even the idea that a people more than a million strong could live in the desert for 40 years – is a testimony of God’s provision. God provides but the people so easily lost their trust. It was similar when they settled in the promised land – they forgot their origins – their providing God. How about me today – even in the comfort of my home and God’s ample provisions – am I forgetting too. Does God need to remind me – the setbacks, the challenges – health or otherwise – to remind me who I am. Oh that I may not forget but trust God’s deliverance. That I may stay humble the true – ready to listen to the Spirit’s leading and to not listen to desires and ego that makes me think that I can live on my own!
Tough love.
I am to tell the next generation of the mighty works of God – His faithfulness. Yet there are times I choose my way instead of His. Yet when I open my eyes I see Him bringing me back under His protective wings. P[en my eyes Lord that I may see Your protective hand over me. Help me to remember Your power, Your love, Your Way for I need to walk on the King’s Highway every day walking in Your Light – Your SonShine.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.