April 19, 2011
In Psalm 83 the Psalmist is seeking judgment against his enemies. He asks God to rise up against those who "have taken crafty counsel" against God's people and "consulted against" God's "hidden ones." (They don't get it that God's people are "hidden" and protected by God himself.) The Psalmist is very specific and detailed in his request.
13 "My God, make them like tumbleweed, like chaff blown away by the wind. (Psalm 140) 14 Be like a fire that burns a forest or like flames that blaze through the hills. 15 Chase them with your storm, and frighten them with your wind. 16 Cover them with shame. Then people will look for you, LORD. 17 Make them afraid and ashamed forever. Disgrace them and destroy them."
Was the Psalmist out for personal vengeance? Did he want their accountability and punishment as a means for revenge. Absolutely not!! The next verse clearly state why he (and we) was (are) asking God to rise up.
18 "Then they will know that you are the LORD, that only you are GOD MOST HIGH over all the earth." An understanding that without God they are nothing and that they would desire nothing but God.
I Kings 18:37 - "LORD answer my prayer so these people will know that you, LORD, are God and that you will change their minds."
Revenge? No. Redemption? Yes. Repentance? Yes.
And... when they "get it"? Psalm 84
Happy (blessed) are those whose strength comes from God. (Verse 5) Even though they pass through valleys (Verse 6) they get stronger as they go. (Verse 7) And then they understand.
Psalm 84:9–10 - 10 One day in the courtyard of your Temple is better than a thousand days anywhere else. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the Temple of my God than live in the homes of the wicked. "The LORD God is like a sun and shield; the LORD gives us kindness and honor. He does not hold back anything good for those whose lives are innocent. 12 LORD, All-Powerful, happy are those who trust you!"
Psalm 89:21–22 - "I will steady him with my hand and strengthen him with my arm. No enemy will make him give forced payments, and wicked people will not defeat him."
The blessings of God comes to those who serve and trust Him. You really do get to see the hand of God working in your life, steadying and strengthening you. There is no better place to live. Just one day in His Temple is better than a thousand elsewhere.
Addendum: 2/27/15 ~ Today, as I was reading the first few verse of Psalm 83, the word "your" jumped off the page and resonated with me. Back in October of 2014, there was a shift in my/our thinking. See LORD, What Am I to Do? My focus changed from what was done to "us" and wanting our name cleared to realizing it is God's name that has been slandered. It is now ALL about clearing His name.
The Psalmist is saying the same thing in Psalm 83. "God, do not keep quiet; God, do not be silent or still. Your enemies are making noises; those who hate you are getting ready to attack. They are making plans against your people; they plot against those you love." The Psalmist goes on to say: hold them accountable. "My God, make them like tumbleweed, like chaff blown away by the wind. Be like a fire that burns a forest or like flames that blaze through the hills. Chase them with your storm, and frighten them with your wind. Cover them with shame. Then people will look for you, LORD. Make them afraid and ashamed forever. Disgrace them and destroy them. Then they will know that you are the LORD, that only you are God Most High over all the earth."
That is our prayer. LORD, rise up and clear YOUR name. It is all about YOU Lord, it is ALL about YOU.
Next Entry: Psalm 85:1 – 86:17
In Psalm 83 the Psalmist is seeking judgment against his enemies. He asks God to rise up against those who "have taken crafty counsel" against God's people and "consulted against" God's "hidden ones." (They don't get it that God's people are "hidden" and protected by God himself.) The Psalmist is very specific and detailed in his request.
13 "My God, make them like tumbleweed, like chaff blown away by the wind. (Psalm 140) 14 Be like a fire that burns a forest or like flames that blaze through the hills. 15 Chase them with your storm, and frighten them with your wind. 16 Cover them with shame. Then people will look for you, LORD. 17 Make them afraid and ashamed forever. Disgrace them and destroy them."
Was the Psalmist out for personal vengeance? Did he want their accountability and punishment as a means for revenge. Absolutely not!! The next verse clearly state why he (and we) was (are) asking God to rise up.
18 "Then they will know that you are the LORD, that only you are GOD MOST HIGH over all the earth." An understanding that without God they are nothing and that they would desire nothing but God.
I Kings 18:37 - "LORD answer my prayer so these people will know that you, LORD, are God and that you will change their minds."
Revenge? No. Redemption? Yes. Repentance? Yes.
And... when they "get it"? Psalm 84
Happy (blessed) are those whose strength comes from God. (Verse 5) Even though they pass through valleys (Verse 6) they get stronger as they go. (Verse 7) And then they understand.
Psalm 84:9–10 - 10 One day in the courtyard of your Temple is better than a thousand days anywhere else. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the Temple of my God than live in the homes of the wicked. "The LORD God is like a sun and shield; the LORD gives us kindness and honor. He does not hold back anything good for those whose lives are innocent. 12 LORD, All-Powerful, happy are those who trust you!"
Psalm 89:21–22 - "I will steady him with my hand and strengthen him with my arm. No enemy will make him give forced payments, and wicked people will not defeat him."
The blessings of God comes to those who serve and trust Him. You really do get to see the hand of God working in your life, steadying and strengthening you. There is no better place to live. Just one day in His Temple is better than a thousand elsewhere.
Addendum: 2/27/15 ~ Today, as I was reading the first few verse of Psalm 83, the word "your" jumped off the page and resonated with me. Back in October of 2014, there was a shift in my/our thinking. See LORD, What Am I to Do? My focus changed from what was done to "us" and wanting our name cleared to realizing it is God's name that has been slandered. It is now ALL about clearing His name.
The Psalmist is saying the same thing in Psalm 83. "God, do not keep quiet; God, do not be silent or still. Your enemies are making noises; those who hate you are getting ready to attack. They are making plans against your people; they plot against those you love." The Psalmist goes on to say: hold them accountable. "My God, make them like tumbleweed, like chaff blown away by the wind. Be like a fire that burns a forest or like flames that blaze through the hills. Chase them with your storm, and frighten them with your wind. Cover them with shame. Then people will look for you, LORD. Make them afraid and ashamed forever. Disgrace them and destroy them. Then they will know that you are the LORD, that only you are God Most High over all the earth."
That is our prayer. LORD, rise up and clear YOUR name. It is all about YOU Lord, it is ALL about YOU.
Next Entry: Psalm 85:1 – 86:17
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