Psalm 76 is a desperate cry for God to act against those who have
destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. It was a time of great turmoil and danger
for those left behind in the exile. God needs to act quickly or no one will be
left to worship him.
We could say,
“Thank God, that’s not our problem!” We do not face destruction, exile or
ridicule in America. So we can safely dismiss this Psalm as reflecting a time
long past.
But wait, the
plight of Christians in western Iraq has become a concern for the American Church.
Fervent prayers for their safety are being offered from pulpits across the
nation. Face Book postings are painting a fearsome picture of the situation.
In the face of
ultimate desperation, the Psalmist cries to God, “How long will you rage, LORD?
Forever? Let your compassion hurry to meet us because we’ve been brought so
low.”
Hope is all
that is left, hope that God will remember his promise, “We are, after all, your
people…” If God will act, the Psalmist promises that the rescued people will
respond in faith: “We will give you thanks forever; we will proclaim your
praises from one generation to the next.”
That promise is
fulfilled in the birth of Jesus some 500 years later. There is hope, hope in
Christ.
Where is your hope in times of trouble?
Pastor George Lawton, Retired Local Pastor Serving
under Appointment, Lakeside
UMC, Lakeside MI, West Michigan
Conference of the United Methodist Church
[1]
During
this blessed season of Advent we will enjoy together daily devotions which are
shared by Local Pastors and Associate Members of the United Methodist Church
from around the United States. I
had the privilege of participating in this project, and look forward to sharing
these daily uplifting thoughts with you over the season from now (Thanksgiving)
to January 1st. Each author will be
identified, and we thank them in advance for each contribution.
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