Psalm 79:1 O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
When I feel attacked, when I feel insulted or wronged, it is easy to want to get even, to make the person pay for their insult. Yet even typing this causes shallow breath and clinched muscles, and I know that any retribution I want to exact is solely for my benefit and not on my Savior’s behalf.
Psalm 79:6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name….
One thing I notice here is that even in the rubble and destruction of this defeat, God is still at the center. An appeal to the heart of God. The desire of the glory of God. It takes humility to stand in the rubble, destruction all around, and want to draw closer to God more than you want revenge. I understand that the speaker is calling on God to exact revenge, but, again, the focus is on God, not man. Are my priorities ordered that way?
Psalm 79:9 Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. You came into this world and turned everything on its head. To be seen as sheep, the sheep of Your flock, is a blessing, not an insult. To be sitting in the rubble of defeat is a chance to draw closer to You, to humble ourselves, not an ending. I want to glorify You more than I want to get even for transgressions. I want to draw closer to You more than I want to defend my name. But sometimes the way of this world is so strong. Help me die to self so that I can live for You only. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 79:13 Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will praise You forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim Your praise.
Have a blessed day.