Remembering God’s goodness

Remembering God’s goodness

Meditations from Psalm 74

 ⁹ We are given no miraculous signs;
       no prophets are left,
       and none of us knows how long this will be.
 ¹⁰ How long will the enemy mock you, O God?
       Will the foe revile your name forever?
 ¹¹ Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
       Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
Psalm 74 speaks of a time when Jerusalem has been destroyed and God’s people scattered. It speaks of a forlorn time, when God’s people and country have become a subject of ridicule. Worst of all to the Psalmist is reflected in Verse 9 which basically says there is no more Word or Signs from God. The absence of God’s presence and Words is what hits the people worst of all, and they long for the time of the Prophets and the miracles God helped them perform like Moses, Elijah and Elisha.
For us too, there may be times of desolation and dryness, where God seems to be absent from our lives, and in those time, we would really miss the Words and Presence of our God in our lives. Hence, in times of refreshing, when we feel God’s presence and hear His Words deep in our hearts, we should really treasure it!
 ¹² But you, O God, are my king from of old;
       you bring salvation upon the earth.
 ¹³ It was you who split open the sea by your power;
       you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
 ¹⁴ It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
       and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.
 ¹⁵ It was you who opened up springs and streams;
       you dried up the ever flowing rivers.
 ¹⁶ The day is yours, and yours also the night;
       you established the sun and moon.
Suddenly in the next few verses, the Psalmist brings to remembrance the mighty deeds of God, in particular the parting of the Red Sea. Leviathan could well be a reference to Egypt, to Pharaoh and his captains. When the Israelites had their backs against the sea and had no hope of salvation, the Lord saved them by splitting open the sea by His power, and bringing the waters back down to destroy the Egyptian army. And God was with His people by day in a great cloud and by night in a pillar of fire.
For us too, in our times of distress, we should Remember the greatness of our God, how He saved us from our sinful selves, how He lifted us up from the miry clay and gave us peace and purpose.
 ¹⁷ It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
       you made both summer and winter.
 ¹⁸ Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD,
       how foolish people have reviled your name.
 ¹⁹ Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts;
       do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.
 ²⁰ Have regard for your covenant,
       because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
 ²¹ Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace;
       may the poor and needy praise your name.
 ²² Rise up, O God, and defend your cause;
       remember how fools mock you all day long.
 ²³ Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries,
       the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.

The last few verses are a call to God to remember His covenant, to take care of the poor, the needy, the oppressed, to rise up and defend the honor of His name which is found in His people. The new covenant of God speaks of a people who have the law of God written on their hearts, who are no longer under the old law for they live by the Spirit. Remember the covenant of God who will be faithful to us as we are faithful to Him. Remember God’s heart of mercy for the poor and the oppressed. Remember that we uphold the honor of God’s name!

May the Lord help us always:-

(i)                 Appreciate and treasure His presence and His Word

(ii)               Remember the good deeds He has done in our lives

(iii)             Value the covenant He has with us in Christ Jesus

(iv)             Call to Him for help for the honor of His name