How Long?

Psalm 79

Asaph the music man is the one who put this on paper as the Holy Spirit guided his thoughts.  Let us begin with the first four verses; ^“O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; “O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.  They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.  We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.”

I read in my study Bible this took place in 586 B.C. Jerusalem being totally destroyed by the army of Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king.  (Note, we should remember the Bible is 100% correct, but that does not mean men have always interpreted it correctly, and that includes this writer.)  With that stated it is important to understand the humiliation and insult it was to the Jews that the bodies of the fallen were exposed to the elements, allowing birds and wild animals to consume them.

A question many have asked, “How long will you allow this trial to keep its hold on me or the Family, the Church, the Nation?  Not one thing is new, but the old is always new to those who have not experienced it.  Could that be why most do not learn from history, and many are for destroying many of the markers that remind us of who we were, one wonders how long before it is repeated?

Verses 5-7, “How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?  How long will your jealousy burn like fire?  Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name; for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.”  Let no one tell you we are a Christian Nation; we are as pagan as the Babylonians.  The USA is still the best nation on planet earth, we still have freedom, but many are worshiping at the throne of government, pleasure, of material stuff, and not the Creator of all that has been, the one that atones for our sins, His name is Jesus Christ.

Asaph had an understanding of God that many who worship little gods of this world must grasp if they hope to have peace, joy, and real freedom.  Shall we explore verses 8-13, "Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.  Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!  Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes!  Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!  Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!
But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.”

Could it be the Church today, is more the Church of Laodicea we find recorded in the book of the Revelation?  Not cold or hot, rich and not in need of God?  Yet God states that Church is wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  The Church of the living God has set on its hands and kept silent while many looked for hope but only found condemnation from the religious church folks.  Yet we have the Truth, Jesus is the Truth, it is found in John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  May I state that is absolute?  So you and I have a choice, reject Jesus as a lunatic, or receive Him as your Lord, for He absolutely gives you no other choice.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice