Freedom comes at a cost

Psalm 74

This morning is a special day to all who love freedom from tyranny when a group of men was willing to give up all for freedom, it is referred to as The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain.  It is a sad time in this great nation when so many have no understanding of the price that has been paid for the freedom we still enjoy.

What about the freedom we have in Christ, no one has ever earned it, Jesus the only Son of God loved us so much that He willingly stepped down from being worshiped and by taking the form of a man, became lower than the angels to redeem all of humankind.  If you were willing to read John’s Gospel chapter one, you would see most of the people, He called His own rejected Him, but those who received Him became sons and daughters of God the Father.

Now you are asking how does that tie into Psalm 74, shall we explore once more Asaph’s words and recall he was one of King David’s chief musicians.  Some believe his name might have come to represent the descendants of those who came out of Babylonian bondage, and that would make this Psalm clearer.  For he is referring to a time of Israel being in captivity in the first eleven verses, and God is not talking with them, no signs or prophets, and God’s enemies scoff and revile His name.  The writer is asking how long, but he forgets that the people are not seeking God they are running after the little gods of this world, much like our day.

In verse 12, he is not only reminding others but also himself, God is his King, and He alone has salvation for His people.  Then he begins to recall all that God has done, like dividing the sea, so his people walked through it on dry land.  Now read and ponder on verses16-17, “Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.”  We live in a culture where it is being preached and taught that we only have years to change the weather, one ignorant Congresswoman is telling people we only have 12 years left, but she, like all who are misled by the enemy have no understanding of our great Creator.

In verses 18-23, once more the writer is asking God not to forget the ones who do evil, to come and fight against them and to remember His people and let the poor and needy praise your name.  As we close, shall we address the question are you poor and needy?  I am rich in stuff, but often in the spiritual I am needy, that is why I am a seeker of God.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice