Still The King

Still The King

Bible: Psalm 74

Reading

Rise up, O God, and defend your cause (V.22).

One news report called it “the single deadliest day for Christians in decades”. The violent and bloody attack on Christians in their church was just too horrible to believe. When we hear and see stories like this from around the world, we just can’t understand what’s going on. But we can find
some help from others who know this kind of pain well. Most of the people of Jerusalem were in exile or had been killed when Asaph wrote Psalm 74. Writing in his pain and sadness, he described the destruction of the temple at the hands of the invaders. “Your foes roared in the place where you met with us,” Asaph said (PSALM 74:4). “They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name” (V.7). Yet the psalmist found hope even as he wrestled with what had happened—showing that we can do the same. “But God is my King from long ago,” Asaph said. “He brings salvation on the earth” (V.12). This truth helped Asaph to praise God’s mighty power even though He didn’t seem to be doing anything at that moment. “Have regard for your covenant,” Asaph prayed. “Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name” (VV.20-21). When terrible things seem to be happening without an end in sight, God’s love and power are in no way held back. With Asaph, we can confidently say, “But God is my King.”

GOD WILL DEFEND HIS PEOPLE.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries