Read
(A special psalm by Asaph.)
A Prayer for the Nation
1Our God, why have you
completely rejected us?
Why are you so angry
with the ones you care for?
2Remember the people
you rescued long ago,
the tribe you chose
for your very own.
Think of Mount Zion,
your home;
3walk over to the temple
left in ruins forever
by those who hate us.
4Your enemies roared like lions
in your holy temple,
and they have placed
their banners there.
5It looks like a forest
chopped to pieces.
6They used axes and hatchets
to smash the carvings.
7They burned down your temple
and badly disgraced it.
8They said to themselves,
“We'll crush them!”
Then they burned every one
of your meeting places
all over the country.
9There are no more miracles
and no more prophets.
Who knows how long
it will be like this?
10Our God, how much longer
will our enemies sneer?
Won't they ever stop
insulting you?
11Why don't you punish them?
Why are you holding back?
12Our God and King,
you have ruled
since ancient times;
you have won victories
everywhere on this earth.
13 By your power you made a path
through the sea,
and you smashed the heads
of sea monsters.
14 You crushed the heads
of the monster Leviathan,
then fed him to wild creatures
in the desert.
15You opened the ground
for streams and springs
and dried up mighty rivers.
16You rule the day and the night,
and you put the moon
and the sun in place.
17You made summer and winter
and gave them to the earth.
18Remember your enemies, Lord!
They foolishly sneer
and won't respect you.
19You treat us like pet doves,
but they mistreat us.
Don't keep forgetting us
and letting us be fed
to those wild animals.
20Remember the agreement
you made with us.
Violent enemies are hiding
in every dark corner
of the earth.
21Don't disappoint those in need
or make them turn from you,
but help the poor and homeless
to shout your praises.
22Do something, God!
Defend yourself.
Remember how those fools
sneer at you all day long.
23Don't forget the loud shouts
of your enemies.
Reflect
How should we pray when disaster strikes?
When we’re feeling abandoned, rejected, confused, forgotten, in darkness, alone?
When we don’t know why something’s happening, or can’t make head or tail of it?
How should we pray . . . when God seems to be holding out on us . . . when he seems to be far away?
Grappling with feelings of dismissal, desertion and despair, the psalmist begins his lament with the familiar “Why?” His concern is grave. God appears to have abandoned his own people (vv 1-2a & b) and departed from the land (v 2c). The temple’s no more (vv 3-8), there’s no sign of God (v 9a), no one speaking in his name (v 9b), and no end in sight (v 9c). To add insult to injury, God’s silence has given way to the derision and mocking of his enemies (v 10).
It’s dark times. Perplexed, the psalmist wonders why God is holding back (v 11). We speculate too. Why doesn’t he always help us? Why doesn’t God do something?
When we’re in the dark we need the light. The psalmist tempers his lament with a proclamation of hope. He reminds us that God is the Lord of history and creation. He is King and Saviour (v 12). He’s the Ruler of the seas (vv 13-14), the springs and streams (v 15), the stars and sun (v 16), and the seasons (v 17).
The recognition of God’s command and control over nature leads seamlessly into prayer. He asks God to remember his people (vv 18-19), respect his promises (v 20), reawaken praise (v 21), and reveal his power (vv 22-23).
So how should we pray when disaster strikes? We should identify the problem (vv 1-10), proclaim the truth (vv 12-17), and plead our cause (vv 18-23).
[Move, Mercy Me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmUDDxflt6o ]
Respond
Lord, do something! I feel forsaken, neglected, bewildered, afflicted . . .on my own. Lord remember me. Rouse yourself! Reveal your power! Rekindle my praise! Restore the joy of my salvation. Amen.
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners