Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 79:6-9
Ps 79:6-9
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name; 7 for they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his homeland. 8 Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. 9 Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.
Rev 5:12-13
12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
While the Psalmist was concerned about his personal plight and the destruction that had come upon his nation, his main concern was the reproach this had brought on the name of God. It was a widely held belief that the god who was the most powerful would allow his/her people to win in battle. Thus, when Israel was defeated their enemies would taunt them with derision toward God and his power to save them. He knew that God could save them, so he was asking that he do so and in so doing, restore respect for his name as the true God.
When a newspaper printed a caricature mocking Allah, it gave reason (and in their minds justifiably so, because it was blasphemy to Allah) for his followers to attack and kill. This was done in the name of redeeming the name of their god.
When God gave the Ten Commandments, they began with having no other god before him and followed with not taking his name in vain. Later in giving the law to Israel, the reason for many of the laws was stated as “because I am holy.”
As his people today we need to remember that our God is an awesome God. He is a consuming fire. To come before him should make us tremble with fear because none of us deserves an audience with the God of the universe! It is a privilege we have in Christ to come before him in his name and to do so with confidence.
Heavenly Father, holy is your name in all the earth! It is with deep humility and with the utmost respect that I dare approach you today and every day. I am so thankful that Jesus opened the way for me into your presence so I can come before you and know that you will hear me and answer my prayer. As I see your holiness and also your love and compassion, it makes me want to be like you in every way. Help me open my heart to your Spirit so I can be filled with his fruit in my life. Forgive me when I fail. I pray in the name Jesus, my Lord.
Robert
