Don't Wait

"Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake." Psalm 79:8-9

It is important to remember as we read Psalms, that not only are they written as inspired pieces of prose and poetry, songs and prayers and praises to God, they most often are also directly connected to real historical events for the people of God. This particular Psalm is written by Asaph or one of his descendants after the Babylonians had leveled Jerusalem. This event is recorded in II Kings 25. All of the horrible things that are told in the opening verses of
Psalm 79 are also shared in more detail in II Kings 25.

Devastation happens. Not only in biblical times, but in our time. Sometimes, because we are just victimized, sometimes because we are in the wrong place at the wrong time or around the wrong people who are doing the wrong things. We can be like the collateral damage of a larger event that is happening around us. We can also suffer directly because of our own foolishness, rebellion or poor choices. In this historical case, the people of God are suffering the consequences of a long time of not obeying God and of going their own ways and not following His way. We can certainly relate to that.

So the plea here is for mercy. The Psalmist is asking God for His quick response to their desperate situation after the devastation. We too, recognize that the sins of our fathers and our corporate history of lackluster spirituality and self consumption move us away from the heart of God, individually and as His people. But only in desperation do we most often turn to God for help, admitting that we have gotten ourselves in the muck we're in and no one else is to blame.

We also should ask for His mercy and help so that ultimately God would be glorified and that His name would be lifted up. Not just to get us out of our current pickle. Oh how often we want immediate relief, and when it comes how quickly we forget to thank Him and praise Him for moving us forward. We all have been totally convinced more that once that this was the end, or that the end of the rope was in our hand and we were losing our grip. We cry out for help fearing the end of the world or at least the end of us. Do we think that God is more real or more present at the bottom? We always want to know where He is on the way down, but maybe the better question is where we are on the way up.

God forgive us please for waiting so long to turn to you. For making more poor choices after the first one and for going through the motions of covering up our tracks and then heading in the same wrong direction. Help us not only with our problems but with the true causes and roots of our problems. Break the cycle of repeat sin in our lives. Give us a fresh strength and commitment to you. Rescue us from being totally consumed by the world and turn our hearts toward you and your plans and your ways and your glory.

This is my prayer today....' Everything, everything, for your name's sake.'

In Him,
Pastor Fred

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