[:en]Our Daily Verse (1/10/21)[:]

[:en]SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 79

“How long, O Lord?   Will you be angry forever?  How long will your jealousy burn like fire?  Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name” (Psalm 79:5-6)

“Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need” (Psalm 79:8)

“help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake” (Psalm 79:9)

Asaph was lamenting the invasion of the enemy.  What did he see?

  1.  God’s inheritance being invaded, His holy temple defiled and Jerusalem reduced to rubble (vs. 1)
  2. Dead bodies of His servants were given as foods for the birds of the air (v. 2)
  3. Blood being poured out like water with no one to bury them (v. 3)

What did he asked God to do?

  1. Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you and kingdom that do not call your name (v. 6)
  2. Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers (v. 8a)
  3. Be merciful to us and come quickly to meet our needs (v. 8b)
  4. Help us for the glory of your name’s sake (v. 9a)
  5. Deliver us and forgive our sins (v. 9b)
  6. Avenge the blood of your servants (v. 10)
  7. Pressure those condemned to die by the strength of your arm (v. 11)
  8. Pay back seven times our neighbors the reproach they have hurled against you (v. 12)

What did Asaph ask the people to do?

We your people, the sheep of your pasture will praise you forever; from generation to generation, we will recount your praise. (v. 13)

Asaph asked the Lord: “How long O Lord?  Will you be angry forever?  How long will your jealousy burn like fire?” (v. 5-6)  He realized that those things happened because of their sins.  He asked God to forgive them and promised to praise Him from generation to generation.

Are you discouraged when you see the triumph of the evil of this world? Have you asked God this question: “How long?”  Remember that everything that happens to us has a purpose.  God may be purging us so that we can come to Him.  He may be reminding us to obey Him.[:]