Psalm 83
Today's Passage: Psalm 83
Enjoy this chapter from “In the Lord I take Refuge” on Psalm 83 by Dane Ortlund
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God sometimes hides his face from the world, but his hiddenness does not mean he is absent. In this psalm, God's silence lures in ten nations, symbolizing all of the opponents of God's people, so that he might destroy those nations with one blow (Ps. 83:3-8; cf. 2 Chron. 20:13-23). At the same time, despite all of the efforts of the world to wipe out his people, God has always preserved his chosen ones (Ps. 83:4-5; Rom. 11:1-6). And, being grafted into their olive tree, Gentiles are now heirs to the same promises of protection (Rom. 11:24). They are his "treasured" property (Ps. 83:3, 12; Rom. 9:23).
Not only does God promise to preserve his disadvantaged people, he also delights in prevailing over their opponents for the sake of his people's deliverance. Asaph's first example of an unlikely victory is Midian's defeat by Gideon, the youngest leader of the weakest tribe of Israel (Judg. 6:1-40). Second is the defeat of Sisera, in which the mighty commander under Jabin, who had tormented Israel for twenty years, was destroyed by a homemaker (Judg. 4:17-22).
The ultimate reason to live confidently in a hostile world is that Jesus Christ has prevailed over our greatest enemies: sin, guilt, Satan, and death. In Christ, we are invincible, for Jesus was raised bodily, and we are now united to him by faith. Our future could not be brighter, whatever adversity washes over us in this fallen world.
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God’s track record in your life has been faithful. He has brought you to where you are right now, saved you, protected you, and sealed you for eternity. So even though you have no control over tomorrow, you can trust in the historical faithfulness of the One who does. Resolve your heart to rest in the provision of God.
Written By: Joe Weaver
Enjoy this chapter from “In the Lord I take Refuge” on Psalm 83 by Dane Ortlund
—
God sometimes hides his face from the world, but his hiddenness does not mean he is absent. In this psalm, God's silence lures in ten nations, symbolizing all of the opponents of God's people, so that he might destroy those nations with one blow (Ps. 83:3-8; cf. 2 Chron. 20:13-23). At the same time, despite all of the efforts of the world to wipe out his people, God has always preserved his chosen ones (Ps. 83:4-5; Rom. 11:1-6). And, being grafted into their olive tree, Gentiles are now heirs to the same promises of protection (Rom. 11:24). They are his "treasured" property (Ps. 83:3, 12; Rom. 9:23).
Not only does God promise to preserve his disadvantaged people, he also delights in prevailing over their opponents for the sake of his people's deliverance. Asaph's first example of an unlikely victory is Midian's defeat by Gideon, the youngest leader of the weakest tribe of Israel (Judg. 6:1-40). Second is the defeat of Sisera, in which the mighty commander under Jabin, who had tormented Israel for twenty years, was destroyed by a homemaker (Judg. 4:17-22).
The ultimate reason to live confidently in a hostile world is that Jesus Christ has prevailed over our greatest enemies: sin, guilt, Satan, and death. In Christ, we are invincible, for Jesus was raised bodily, and we are now united to him by faith. Our future could not be brighter, whatever adversity washes over us in this fallen world.
—
God’s track record in your life has been faithful. He has brought you to where you are right now, saved you, protected you, and sealed you for eternity. So even though you have no control over tomorrow, you can trust in the historical faithfulness of the One who does. Resolve your heart to rest in the provision of God.
Written By: Joe Weaver
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