Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 83

Hobart Herd Devotionals – Psalms 83

   There are days when I want to just cry out for God to annihilate or enemies and remove all of our troubles.  I think that if God would just remove our enemies, then I could concentrate on loving and worshipping Him.  In verses 1-8 Asaph asks God to not be silent or inactive in taking care of Israel’s enemies, after all they were loud obnoxious, exalting themselves and making plans against God’s people.  Surely God could just zap them immediately with a lightning bolt, or cause a disease, or cause them to be in disarray and fear and wipe themselves off the map.  The enemies wanted to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, so why wouldn’t God do the same to them in defending His “Treasured Ones”. (vs. 3)  Asaph decides to help God out and lists them by name in verses 6-8.  Maybe you have a hit list for God just like Asaph.  You are tired of being persecuted, oppressed, killed and wiped out.  God understands our pain and can choose to deal with them immediately and justly, but many times He doesn’t to this, at least not in our timing or our way.  He has promised to judge the earth justly and righteously with every man giving an account for their actions. 

   In verses 9-12 there is mention of several occasions when God dealt with the Midianites with Gideon and the Philistines with David.  We can often point to times when God has fought on our behalf and we have seen the just punishment of those that turn against God’s people.  However, we can also recognize many times when God has allowed things to happen that seem to have no rhyme or reason.  The Lord explains why in 2 Peter 3:7-9, 7     But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8        But do not let this one {fact} escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9     The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.(NAS)  We must never forget that God is a merciful and compassionate God who forgives those who don’t deserve it if they will turn to Him.  Isaiah 55:5-9, 5  “Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, and a nation which knows you not will run to you, because of the LORD your God, even the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.” 6        Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 8   “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9  “For {as} the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.(NAS)  Praise the Lord that He will be glorified by a lost soul turning to Him in repentance even more then His all consuming judgment on sin.  Thank the Lord today that He would rather allow you the time to choose His salvation rather then just wipe us out because of our terrible sinful behavior. 

   Father, I sometimes ask for Your judgment and righteous justice to fall on those around me out of frustration and anger.  Forgive me for not remembering that I received Your mercy, grace and love when I didn’t deserve it.  I can trust in Your timing and justice knowing that one day You will bring Your judgment and wrath upon those who refuse You, and You will show mercy to those who will receive it.  In all things You will be glorified in Your time.  In Jesus Name, Amen!  Pastor Rob