July 24 - Psalm 74:1-3

O God, why have you rejected us so long?

Why is your anger so intense

against the sheep of your own pasture?

2 Remember that we are the people you chose long ago,

the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession!

And remember Jerusalem,

your home here on earth.

Walk through the awful ruins of the city;

see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.

Psalm 74:1-3

 

Have you ever felt forgotten? 

 

Have you ever felt neglected?

 

Have you ever felt like God has rejected you? 

 

Israel sure did. 

 

This Psalm tells us that (for one of many times in history) Jerusalem had been destroyed.

 

Where was God in the midst of this?! That was their first cry. It was plaintive, questioning, lost, and wondering. 

 

And that’s the way it is for most of us in times of trial — Where are you, God? That’s the first cry. It’s pure emotion. 

 

The second cry is more logical. It leans on truth. It recalls the promises of God. In fact, it even reminds God of his own promises. 

 

Reminds God? Doesn’t that sound presumptuous? Doesn’t he know?

 

He does. And yet he tells us to do it. (See Isaiah 43:26, for example.) Why?

 

I think it’s mostly for our benefit. When we remind God, WE too a recalling his promises. We are re-calling them — calling them back to life. We are refocusing ourselves. We are showing our reliance on his word and his power. We are trusting. Believing. Depending. 

 

And in so doing, we are worshipping. 

 

When you are hurting, call out to God — first. 

 

Then start recalling all his promises. (God tells us to do this.) It’s not because God needs to be reminded ... but we do!

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who doesn’t remember

as well as he used to

... so maybe I need to remember

what God promises

more than I used to too