Psalm 74

This Psalm is a great lesson in how to make our problems God’s problem.  We are not suggesting that we try to trick God into doing something about our problems by making Him think it’s his problem.  It is actually the opposite: it is seeing that we don’t in fact have a problem unless it is God’s problem.  The difference between whining at God and pouring out our burdened hearts is that in some way His Name and glory are at stake in what we are enduring.

Let us note the flow and symmetry of this Contemplation of Asaph. 

·        74:1-2: Why? (Why have you cast us off forever?)

·        74:3-8: The enemy causes perpetual desolations (describes the problem)!

·        74:9-10: How long? (How long will You let this go on?)

·        74:11-12: Why? (Why do You withdraw Your hand?)

·        74:13-17: You are the omnipotent God (describes God)!

·        74:18-23: Arise, O God (plead Your own cause)!

The Psalmist has a problem.  He and God’s people have been cast off by God.  It is a severe time and seems hopeless; he wonders how long this will go on.  But throughout he calls God to remember.

·        74:2: Remember who we are (Your congregation which You purchased, Your inheritance which You redeemed.  Israel is His turtledove and His poor, v19).

·        74:18,22: Remember what the enemy has done (blasphemed Your name; reproached You daily).

So the Psalmist has come in the right way to God.  He has seen how God’s name and glory is besmirched by the problem he faces.  He recognizes that Israel belongs to God and exists for God’s glory and to serve Him as His witness.  Believers today have the same truths to call upon.  We are the people who belong to Christ, purchased by Him for His glory (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  We are left here to testify of Him to the world (2 Cor. 5:18-20).  This kind of praying has the added benefit of elevating our hopes and aspirations above the temporary to the eternal things that befit God’s people (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

This week in the office at the Garden Tomb where we are serving we had some old gospel music playing (it’s a bit slow, and the Norwegian lady at the reception desk loves gospel music as do I).  Vestal Goodman was singing God Walks the Dark Hills and I was wondering, where does that idea come from?  Maybe the answer is in Psalm 74:20.  For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty.  We all know the fear one can have hiking the hills through a dark forest.  It is a great picture of life in an increasingly sinful world where God’s people walk.  Even as I write this I have seen in the news an American pastor in jail in Iran has been freed; AND an American missionary in Burkina Faso has been killed in a terrorist attack.  In both, and in every case, what comfort to know: God walks the dark places!  He is among the people He has redeemed!