Psalm 78:1-39
Today's Passage: Psalm 78:1-39
One of the musicians who worked closely with David was Asaph, who is the author of Psalm 78. A Maskil is a somewhat ambiguous term for a hymn or poem composed to music, which Is a common term at the beginning of many Psalms. In this particular Psalm, Asaph speaks in exhortation and rebuke to Israel for the continued idolatry and forgetfulness towards God. We will do well to heed some of the instruction from Asaph in this Psalm.
1. Faith is meant to be a generational discussion. (v, 3-8)
Over and over again, the biblical authors remind us of the importance of keeping God before the generations to come after us. It is the responsibility of mothers and fathers to share the glorious deeds of God to their children. On more than one occasion, Israel has been rebuked for their continual forgetfulness to pass the greatness of God onto the next generation.
2. We forget to tell others because we tend to be forgetful ourselves. (v. 9-20)
Most of this section is summarized in verse 11: “They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.” No matter how many times God shows His power and character, there is a tendency in the quiet to forget what all He has done and who He is. No wonder the stories fail to get passed along when those who are supposed to tell don’t remember themselves.
3. God will not be mocked. (v. 21-31)
God who causes it to rain food (v. 23-29) will not idly sit back and be mocked by the forgetfulness of those whom He has provided for. In what is perhaps the most shocking verse in this passage, Asaph declares: “because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power (v. 22).” May this not be said of us!
4. Lip service is not the same as authentic faith.
In verses 34-37, Asaph describes how Israel came to their senses and turned back to God (at least in speech), but their hearts were not true to their professed repentance. And you’d think God had had enough of their deception, but the following verses are so gracious and encouraging to those who find themselves offering lip service to God. In his compassion, he still covered their sin, did not destroy them, and HE REMEMBERED!
V. 39: He remembered that they were but flesh…
Even in our forgetfulness, God still remembers. He is THAT faithful. As we strive to remember Him, to stay loyal to Him, the grace of God is still with us, even when we forget. The key to this grace is found in true repentance, not just lip service.
Thank you, God, for your ever-faithful grace on your people who are prone to forget. May we sing the words of the hymn writer that says: prone to wander, Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it; seal it for Thy courts above!
Written By: Drew Dukes
One of the musicians who worked closely with David was Asaph, who is the author of Psalm 78. A Maskil is a somewhat ambiguous term for a hymn or poem composed to music, which Is a common term at the beginning of many Psalms. In this particular Psalm, Asaph speaks in exhortation and rebuke to Israel for the continued idolatry and forgetfulness towards God. We will do well to heed some of the instruction from Asaph in this Psalm.
1. Faith is meant to be a generational discussion. (v, 3-8)
Over and over again, the biblical authors remind us of the importance of keeping God before the generations to come after us. It is the responsibility of mothers and fathers to share the glorious deeds of God to their children. On more than one occasion, Israel has been rebuked for their continual forgetfulness to pass the greatness of God onto the next generation.
2. We forget to tell others because we tend to be forgetful ourselves. (v. 9-20)
Most of this section is summarized in verse 11: “They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.” No matter how many times God shows His power and character, there is a tendency in the quiet to forget what all He has done and who He is. No wonder the stories fail to get passed along when those who are supposed to tell don’t remember themselves.
3. God will not be mocked. (v. 21-31)
God who causes it to rain food (v. 23-29) will not idly sit back and be mocked by the forgetfulness of those whom He has provided for. In what is perhaps the most shocking verse in this passage, Asaph declares: “because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power (v. 22).” May this not be said of us!
4. Lip service is not the same as authentic faith.
In verses 34-37, Asaph describes how Israel came to their senses and turned back to God (at least in speech), but their hearts were not true to their professed repentance. And you’d think God had had enough of their deception, but the following verses are so gracious and encouraging to those who find themselves offering lip service to God. In his compassion, he still covered their sin, did not destroy them, and HE REMEMBERED!
V. 39: He remembered that they were but flesh…
Even in our forgetfulness, God still remembers. He is THAT faithful. As we strive to remember Him, to stay loyal to Him, the grace of God is still with us, even when we forget. The key to this grace is found in true repentance, not just lip service.
Thank you, God, for your ever-faithful grace on your people who are prone to forget. May we sing the words of the hymn writer that says: prone to wander, Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it; seal it for Thy courts above!
Written By: Drew Dukes
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