O God, Why Do You Cast Us Off Forever?
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
O God, why do you cast us off forever?
Remember your congregation,
which you acquired long ago ...
Remember Mount Zion, where you came to dwell ...
the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary ...
they desecrated the dwelling place of your name,
bringing it to the ground ...
Rise up, O God, plead your cause;
remember how the impious scoff at you all day long.
-- Psalm 74:1a, 2, 3b, 7b, 22
Theme: Lament on the destruction of the temple
Outline
1-3 -- Have you forgotten us? Look at your sanctuary!
4-9 -- The temple has been destroyed, desecrated.
10-11 -- Why don't you act?
12-17 -- You have the power (remember Exodus?).
18-23 -- Remember your covenant and your people. Don't let the impious keep scoffing at you!
Notes
• Lament
• For what happened, read 2 Kings 25:8-12. Babylonians totally destroyed the temple and led citizens into exile.
• Note the description of what the enemy did, not only in Jerusalem, but in the whole land (vv. 4-9, 18, 20).
For Reflection
• The psalmist is experiencing horrible shock. All that supported his faith in God was taken away -- Mount Zion's temple with all its activity, his beloved city, and the ordered life he was accustomed to. During times when we are offended with God's apparent inaction in the face of infamy, do we restrain from expressing it out of loyal concern for the faith of others? Can we still tell God our feelings?
• The psalmist pleads with God. What are the pleas he makes and the reasons why God should do something? How do you plead with God in your prayers?
• Note the clues of a resilient faith the Spirit is bringing forth as he voices his lament.
• Prayer about God's word becomes a dialogue with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Lord God, when all the usual supports and props of our faith are taken away, we will remember the cross of Jesus and his shed blood, which sealed the covenant of our salvation. Make us emblems of your love and promises, that others may become part of your true dwelling-place and temple, people in whom you live and lead with your Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Remember your congregation,
which you acquired long ago ...
Remember Mount Zion, where you came to dwell ...
the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary ...
they desecrated the dwelling place of your name,
bringing it to the ground ...
Rise up, O God, plead your cause;
remember how the impious scoff at you all day long.
-- Psalm 74:1a, 2, 3b, 7b, 22
Theme: Lament on the destruction of the temple
Outline
1-3 -- Have you forgotten us? Look at your sanctuary!
4-9 -- The temple has been destroyed, desecrated.
10-11 -- Why don't you act?
12-17 -- You have the power (remember Exodus?).
18-23 -- Remember your covenant and your people. Don't let the impious keep scoffing at you!
Notes
• Lament
• For what happened, read 2 Kings 25:8-12. Babylonians totally destroyed the temple and led citizens into exile.
• Note the description of what the enemy did, not only in Jerusalem, but in the whole land (vv. 4-9, 18, 20).
For Reflection
• The psalmist is experiencing horrible shock. All that supported his faith in God was taken away -- Mount Zion's temple with all its activity, his beloved city, and the ordered life he was accustomed to. During times when we are offended with God's apparent inaction in the face of infamy, do we restrain from expressing it out of loyal concern for the faith of others? Can we still tell God our feelings?
• The psalmist pleads with God. What are the pleas he makes and the reasons why God should do something? How do you plead with God in your prayers?
• Note the clues of a resilient faith the Spirit is bringing forth as he voices his lament.
• Prayer about God's word becomes a dialogue with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Lord God, when all the usual supports and props of our faith are taken away, we will remember the cross of Jesus and his shed blood, which sealed the covenant of our salvation. Make us emblems of your love and promises, that others may become part of your true dwelling-place and temple, people in whom you live and lead with your Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
