Forget Me Not
Opening Prayer
Father, let me recall “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (Jas. 4:8), whenever I confront evil around me.
Read Psalm 74:1-23
[1]A maskil of Asaph. O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? [2] Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed- Mount Zion, where you dwelt. [3] Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. [4] Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs. [5] They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. [6] They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. [7] They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name. [8] They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. [9] We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. [10] How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever? [11] Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them! [12] But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth. [13] It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. [14] It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert. [15] It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers. [16] The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. [17] It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. [18] Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name. [19] Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever. [20] Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. [21] Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. [22] Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. [23] Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does this psalm recall the Israelites' words of yesterday?There are times when the world is a bleak, cruel and chaotic place; when we look around, there is little evidence of a loving God involved. Every day on our planet people die painful, premature deaths from disease or acts of violence as victims of climate or political instability. Christians are mocked and, far worse, churches are desecrated. The psalmist’s observations of what is going on around him could be ours. What do we do in the face of the harsh facts? Do we conclude either that God doesn’t exist or that he doesn’t care? Or do we get on our knees and intercede for our broken world, raising those big questions but voicing them to God and not into a void of doubt and hopelessness? The psalmist’s prayer here is bold: “Why have you rejected us (1)? Remember your nation (2). Turn your steps towards the ruins (3). Take out your hand and destroy our enemies (11). Have regard for your covenant (20). Rise up and defend yourself–and us (22).” Let’s be bold in our prayers, too.
Apply
Does a situation weigh heavily on you now? Take it before our saving God, and don’t be afraid to pray for big change.
Closing prayer
Dear Lord, open my eyes to see Your world as You see it. Cause me to do whatever I can to bring this world to Your saving Word.
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