PRAISE AFTER THE PAIN
Opening Prayer
Father in heaven, you are faithful; your mercies are new every morning. I offer you thanksgiving and praise.
Read PSALM 79
Psalm 79
A psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
3 They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us.
5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;
7 for they have devoured Jacob
and devastated his homeland.
8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
9 Help us, God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
10 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think of one spiritual blessing, one material blessing, and one relational blessing (from a friend, family, or church perhaps) that you have received this week.This psalm seems to have been written by eyewitnesses of the horrific scenes in Jerusalem when it was crushed by Nebuchadnezzar (589–587 BC). The callous violence of the first four verses spoke of horrific suffering, shame, and loss. Almost worse than the physical suffering was the way in which God’s name had been dragged through the mud by his people’s collapse (vv. 1–10).
The cry ‘How long, Lord?’ (v. 5) resonates through the years, as Christian people try to marry the reality of persecution and suffering with their faith in a good and powerful, promise-keeping God. When pain and loss overwhelm us, there is only one place to go: to God for his mercy and deliverance (v. 9).
The eyes of faith, though, see beyond the present to a different future. It makes all the difference—if we can—to endure suffering strengthened by hope. It is remarkable that a psalm that began in such pain ends with the prospect of deliverance and praise (v. 13).
Apply
‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13). Pray this verse over anyone you know who is facing hard times.
Closing prayer
Thank you, Gracious God, for all that you provide. Even in the face of hardship, help me to trust, to praise, and to proclaim your faithfulness.
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