Psalm 79

Today’s Passage: Psalm 79

In today’s Psalm, Asaph is crying out to God for justice. The nations have invaded God’s people (v.1). They have defiled the temple (v.1). They have destroyed Jerusalem (v.1). People have been killed and they are being mocked by others (v.2-4). Asaph is watching this and he wants one thing... JUSTICE.

“5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? 6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name! 7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation. // Psalm 79:5-7

God is just. It is who He is in His nature and character. And Asaph is appealing to Him. But in appealing to God for justice & deliverance Asaph remembered that they are no less deserving of God’s judgment than anyone else. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23). We all stray away and rebel from God and His design (Isaiah 53).

So He begs God for:

1) Mercy (v.8a)
2) Compassion (v.8b)
3) Deliverance (v.9)
4) Justice (v.10)

He knows that God is all powerful (v.11). And He knows that they are His people (v.12). He knows that God is deserving of all praise (v. 13).

Maybe you feel like Asaph today. You look at all that is going on in our world - such as political turmoil, division, wars, injustice, assassination attempts, among other things - and all you can say is “How long, O Lord?”

You want justice. You want deliverance. Those are good and right prayers for our times. My only exhortation is remember, we too are deserving of judgment. We do not measure up to God’s standard. We only avoid God’s judgment because Jesus took that judgment when He was crucified for our sin.

As you plead for justice.... As you plead for deliverance... As you cry out to God, “How Long O Lord?” don’t forget to do it through the lens of Jesus with mercy, grace, and compassion for our world.

Take a second and pray for our city, nation, and world. Ask God to move in hearts and bring life change through the gospel. Don’t forget, God is still God. God is still working.

Written By: Nick Parsons

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