In Need of What?

O.T. #1280  "In Need of What?"
Sept. 7, 2018
Psalm 79
So we Thy people and sheep of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks for ever: we will show forth Thy praise to all generations.  Psalm 79:13

LET IT GLOW

Sheep. Have you been around them? I have only a few times. My observation is that they need food and water provided them, and protection, also. (I hear they are a dumb animal.) My granddaughter's sheep, Otis, who won second place at the fair, depended upon others for his daily provisions. And he would ba  loudly if he didn't get it at his demand. Yet, he would show his thanks when she would lead him around the pen with only her hands, no halter. He was faithful to her and perhaps giving thanks in ba language, too. She was Otis' provider. Isn't that how we are to be toward Jesus, our Provider and Savior?

The analogy of God's people as His sheep and He is our Shepherd is used quite often in the Bible. Previously, David used it in Psalm 23. Sheep are humble and dependent animals. Are we thankful for what He has done for us in providing salvation and has given to us, daily provisions? Are we teaching the younger generations to be thankful?

Probably this psalm was written after the Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C.

The MacArthur Study Bible outlines this chapter: The psalm helps the believer express his anguish in a disaster when it seems as though God is aloof. It contains:

1. prayer for the nation's spiritual needs,
2. (requesting) curses against the enemies of God's people, and
3. praises in anticipation of God's actions.  

LET IT GROW

Did you find the three things that the psalmist pleads for God on behalf of his people in a prayer? They are found in verse 9:

1. Help us;
2. deliver us; and
3. purge us.

Purge is defined as cancel, forgive, atonement, cleanse.

The writer recognizes the sins of Israel and confesses it as such. He is concerned that the name of God would be blasphemed if God did not rescue His children. The rescue came much later than this prayer, but the prayer was answered. It was about 50 years later when the Persian King Cyrus allowed a remnant of Jews to return to the old Jerusalem to rebuild it and the Temple.

Friends, our nation is in desperate need of purging from our sins, for we have killed millions of unborn babies and allowed homosexuality to be displayed in public. We allow our children to be exposed to sinful lifestyles through the media, society, and school. Will we believers in Christ take a stand against our sin and confess it? Ask God to bring changes for our future generations sake. May we become a nation under God again.

LET IT GO

Father, please purge our nation of its sins and sinful lifestyles. Help me be a faithful sheep, teaching this generation about Your love and forgiveness and blessings. Use our nations' leaders at this time to turn us around and back to you.