Read today’s scripture.
How do these Psalms about trouble, heartache, and persecution speak to you?
Psalm 73.
Have you ever felt like this?
- Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Then the Psalmist continues to describe the “arrogant and wicked” in verses 4-12. (See if you recognize them as you read those verses.)
- All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.
- But when I thought HOW to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, UNTIL I WENT INTO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD; then I discerned their end.
And his glorious ending thoughts!
- YOU hold my right hand. YOU guide me with your counsel, and afterward, YOU will receive me to glory.
- Whom have I in heaven but YOU? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides YOU.
- My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
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Psalm 77.
Have you done or felt these things when you are suffering in some way?
- I cry aloud to God, and he will hear me.
This is the Psalmist’s hope, but he admits to the opposite.
- In the day of my trouble I seek the LORD.
- In the night my hand is stretched out without wearing, and my soul refuses to be comforted.
- When I remember God, I moan: when I meditate, my spirit faints.
- You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
- I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.”
- Then my spirit made a diligent search…..
Here, the Psalmist turns to his knowledge of His Lord and asks questions that have a resounding “NO!” answer.
- Will the Lord spurn forever and never again be favorable?
- Has His steadfast love forever ceased?
- Are His promises at an end for all time?
- Has God forgotten to be gracious?
- Has He in anger shut up his compassion?
And those “No” questions gave him hope and comfort. Hear him “preach to himself!” USE THESE TO PREACH TO YOURSELF TOO!!
- I WILL REMEMBER the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.
- I WILL ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
- YOUR WAY, O God, is holy.
- WHAT GOD is great like our God?
- YOU are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.
- YOU with Your arm redeemed your people…
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Psalm 78.
(A good LONG psalm, looking forward to the next generation.)
- Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
The hope of this Psalm.
- I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, things that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from our children but tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that he has done……..which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, who will rise and tell them to THEIR children, so that they should SET THEIR HOPE IN GOD, and not forget His works, but keep His commandments.
The Psalm goes on to tell how the Israelites of old, SINNED against God, REBELLED, TESTED, and SPOKE AGAINST God until He was full of wrath against them.
- And their main sin: “They did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.“
This is a huge “beware” to us today!!!
- AND YET HE FED them grain from Heaven and water from the Rock (both pictures of Jesus Christ). YET, HE, BEING COMPASSIONATE, ATONED for their iniquity and did not destroy them;
- He restrained His anger often and did not stir up ALL his wrath.
- He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes…
The psalm goes on to tell how Israel tested God again and again, provoked Him, and did not remember His power, They turned away, acted treacherously, twisted like a bow strong, and rebelled against the Most High God….. And He rejected Israel, the tent of Joseph, and the tribe of Ephraim.
So sad, but so like us sometimes. But then…..
- He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loves. He built his sanctuary like the high heavens…
- He chose David, His servant. He took him from the sheepfolds and brought him to shepherd Jacob, His people, and Israel, His inheritance.
- With an upright heart he (David) shepherded them and guided them with a skillful hand.
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In a few days, we will get back to the story of King David.
Morning Meditations 
Amen
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