Questions Answered

O. T. #1276  "Questions Answered"
Sept. 3, 2018
Psalm 78

LET IT GLOW

Questions. We all have them from time to time. When our days are dark and cloudy, we tend to ask them. Doubt tries to creep into our heart. Maybe that is when we learn more and gain a deeper faith. I couldn't skip over what is found in Matthew Henry's Commentary, Volume 3:

We may be tempted to think that God has abandoned us and cast us off, that the covenant of grace fails us, and that the tender mercy of our God shall be for ever withheld from us. But we must not give way to such suggestions as these. If fear and melancholy ask such peevish questions, let faith answer them from the Scripture:

           Will the Lord cast off forever? God forbid, Romans 11:1.
           Will He be favorable no more? Yes He will: For though He caused grief yet will He have
                                                                  compassion, Lamentations 3:32.
            Is His mercy clean gone forever? No, His mercy endures forever; as it is from everlasting, it
                                                                     is to everlasting, Ps. 53:17.
            Doth His promise fail for evermore? No; it is impossible for God to lie, Heb. 6:18.
            Hath God forgotten to be gracious? No; He cannot deny Himself, and His own name which
                                                                          hath proclaimed which He hath proclaimed gracious
                                                                          and merciful, Exodus 34:6.
            Hath He in anger shut up His tender mercies? No; they are new every morning, Lam. 3:23.

We can recall in previous Scriptures that Israel rebelled against God's commands and turned to worshiping idols. However, God always has a remnant who continues to love and serve Him. Although Israel suffered because of their turning away, the faithful ones, like Asaph, had questions. God's faithfulness and miracles were told to future generations. (Although he already knew the answers.)

 LET IT GROW

What was the condition of the psalmist at the beginning of this psalm? He cried out to God; sought the Lord; remembered God; and was overwhelmed. He was so troubled that he couldn't speak, yet he considered the years of old. He searched his own heart.

After he got it off his chest, Asaph asked in verse 13, Who is so great a God as our God? NLT puts it this way, Is there any god as mighty as You?

Of course, the answer he already knew. God is great, God is good; let us thank Him for our food, and everything else. There is none like Him.

What may have been Asaph's conclusion? Perhaps it was the same as in Psalm 69:30, I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

LET IT GO

When questions and doubt come, seek the Bible for answers.
Father, You show tender mercies to me daily.
Your promises are forever kept.
I will count Your many blessing to me today.