"Where is their God?"

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” - Psalm 79:10a

It's No Surprise

When disaster struck Jerusalem during their defeat with Babylon, their need for God has become more apparent and visible to them. Their sufferings have grown and their enemies shamed them without limit. Some of them are killed relentlessly with their corpses exposed to be devoured by birds and wild beasts. 

It is not supposed to surprise the Israelites. They know that this plague of misery shall come upon them. They know that God is sovereign overall and that He is the only one who could lift up this burden from them; for they asked, “How long, O Lord?”

They know... because they have caused this to happen.

God’s jealousy had conceived this effect to them. He submitted them to these unruly nations because of their provocation from their idol worship. They knew from the start the price of their sin. But their stubborn hearts insisted and have led them to this dreadful condition.

Effect in Actions

Now as they become the derision of their enemies, they taunt them saying, “Where is their God?” People then and now, only refer to the present when judging. The actions of God’s people does not invalidate God’s righteousness and power; but His people and their situation become the mirror of His image. Nations look at the Israelites and remember — this is the people that God saved from their slavery in Egypt - “Where is their God now? Let Him save them now!” -- totally unaware that this happen in the sphere of God's will to teach His people that sin is of grave matter.

Your actions affect how people see God - your claim to be His child, your talk about being God’s servant, your show about being His disciple - all these must agree to who God is. Though not fully for we will never know His fullness, but His way is revealed so that His people can walk through it. We praise the God of heavens that despite our ungodliness and its effects, the eternal curse of sin is reversed in the blood of Christ through faith and repentance. 

Reading: Psalm 79

They did not remember.

“They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,” Psalm 76:42

From last Friday’s preaching and last night's exhortation in the prayer meeting, we learned that disobedience leads to forgetfulness. As I devote a time to study Psalm 78, the Holy Spirit taught me about the grittiness of disobedience -- on how did God’s people suffer from it and how God demonstrated his forbearance among His people.

Why does God want us NOT to forget? 

It is true that when His people remember His goodness, power, and love for them, they are reminded that being on God’s side is the best and only option they have in life and death. But there’s another reason why God wants His people to remember all He has done. That is- for His people to tell His works to the coming generations so that they may also glorify Him.

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Despite God’s continuous reminder to them through His goodness, His people did not remember. Their actions had insisted to forget God and voluntarily covered their eyes to unsee the greatness of God. They rebelliously walked blindly, convincing themselves that they can make it without God. They disobeyed and disobeyed and disobeyed. 

With sorrow, I realized how similar I am to them. Psalm 76 enumerated on how did they put to show their disobedience— repeatedly. 

1. They refused to walk with God. (verse 10) 

Despite God’s promise to them (God’s covenant v. 10), the Ephraimites turned back on the day of battle which the Lord commanded them to win. There’s no detailed reference given to this particular battle, but the psalmist clearly pointed out that there is a refusal to obey among God’s people to do what He instructs them. Verse 11 follows that they forgot His wonders. The obvious answer whether they will be victorious or not became uncertain because of their forgetfulness on the power of God.

When I’m faced with trials and temptations that seemed too difficult for me, I sometimes get wired on my own ways and desires. I forget that God is able to save me from it, and His ways always proved to be good for me. 

2. They tested God. (verse 18)

To test God is to ask Him to prove Himself, which He has already done so many times in His own timing and ways. His miracles and revelations are always conspicuous and in the purpose of ushering His people to Him. However because of the Israelites' self-conceit, after God showed His power parting the Red Sea, they questioned Him as if He cannot provide food and water for them (verse 19). 

When push comes to shove, do I forget the things He has done for me, and demand Him to do what I want?

3. They sinned. (verse 32) 

Sin is an overall term used to any kind of act against God. But this verse in Psalm mentions sinning after God had filled them in the most extraordinary ways (manna and meat raining down from heaven). 

Just like that one point in the preaching, “Fulness often leads to Forgetfulness,” - I have to be careful to remember that everything came from God. God supplies both needs and wants - with this, I must be watchful to remember this after getting these from God. My desire must always be for God and to glorify Him.

4. They were not faithful. (verse 37)

The Israelites knew that without God, they are nothing. God was their rock and their redeemer. They understood that they needed Him. But they flattered Him with their mouths and lied to Him (verse 36) thinking that they can only do that to have His favor. But God knew their hearts.

How many times did I tell God I surrender my life to Him, but in reality I did not? Or declare I glorify Him but my life does not reflect His goodness? Or spell out my love for Him but never acted upon it?

5. They provoked Him to anger. (verse 41)

God is provoked of idols. Despite his rescues and providence to His people, they betrayed Him and turned to worship false gods. 

As for me, despite my knowledge of my need of God and all His goodness, my earthly mindedness overcomes me at times. My time, energy and resources are mostly spent 

to temporal things and benefits of this life. I know that God should matter most in my life, but I act otherwise. My idols and myself could be worse than that of the Israelites and their high places.

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Still just like the Israelites, God is my only hope. The redemption through His Son, Christ Jesus, will shepherd me towards my eternal inheritance in Him. His righteousness will see me through my weakness. (verses 65-72)

And it’s the same for you, chosen child of God!

 

Pharaohs in Pandemic: Are You One of Them?

“I have sinned... Go, serve the Lord your God… forgive my sin… and plead with the Lord… to remove this death from me.. be gone and bless me also!”

-Exodus 9:27, 10:16, 10: 24, 12:31

 

“When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this that we have done, that we have the Israelites go from serving us?  … And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel…"

-Exodus 14:5, 8

The ten plagues that God had sent in Egypt is one of the most familiar Bible stories. Through Moses, God displayed His power in plagues to convince Pharaoh to let His people go. We can imagine the ancient world of Egypt as they were both amazed and terrified to see these things happening. Despite this, we know in the ending that Pharaoh chose to rebel against God.  

Going back to some details of the story, I realized that Pharaoh actually considered surrendering to God a few times during the plagues -- that is even before the final plague. He knew in his heart that he is overpowered by God.  That once God gets to act, he loses all his control and no effort he can do to prevent anything to happen that God wills. 

However, as soon as the Lord stops the plague, he goes back to his haughty self, and convinces himself that he is above God. He has seen the power of God but still decides to defy him instead of obeying Him. He refused to let go of God's people and disobeyed Him - that which brought punishment to him and his people.

During the height of COVID 19, many people realized that without God, they have no hope. It was inevitable to wake up to the reality that this life and everything in it will soon perish. Influence, power and wealth have nothing to do with a person’s safety.  Only a fool can deny that it is solely by the hand of God that this virus can be controlled, and by His will alone that lives can be saved. 

People cried out to God for help, thirst for His Word of hope, and “chase” after His salvation. Despite holding online worship services, our attendance spiked up.  Friends whom I haven’t seen for a long time in church attended without fail, even in Bible studies. Truly, God has shown His power through this pandemic, just like through the plagues in Egypt. People feared for their lives and saw no hope but to surrender to God.

But just like Pharaoh, as soon as things go back to normal — with vaccines and cases decreased —most of those who came with fervent hearts, vanished one by one. When things get back to what it’s used to be, they forgot the One who holds all things together.  The One who protected, comforted, healed and saved them. They changed their hearts as swiftly as Pharaoh changed his.  

Are you like Pharaoh? —that even after witnessing God’s power in this pandemic, you still choose to harden your heart, go your own way, and rebel against Him? Do you forcefully put God at the back seat of your heart and restrain your conscience on feeling the need for Him?

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” Hebrews 3:7

Whom Have I in Heaven?

 

Reading upon chapter 73 of Psalms, David expressed his disappointment of the successes and triumphs of the wicked; doubting if his godly ways would even benefit him. And though he was well aware of God’s goodness to His people (v. 1), the worldly system filled with corruption and violence, had him thinking if his faith is in vain.

Worse but true, at the back of our heads we also say, “How can God know?” (Verse 11) — when it seems that God’s people are taken advantage of and evil men prevail. But understanding came to David when he went to the sanctuary of God; then he discerned their end (verse 17). 

Prosperity without God only results to pride and arrogance, making the wicked fall into ruin (verse 18). Days go by so swiftly, like a dream when one awakes ( verse 20) only to see that destruction and punishment are left for them.

David in his shame uttered at the last verses of this Psalm:

“I was brutish and ignorant;

I was like a beast toward you.”

Then in praises, He realized

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

You hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

And afterward you will receive me to your glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Earthly days are corrupted yet numbered. The night is here but the morning is surely coming. God does not wait for us in heaven but He takes us there. As the Spirit revealed this to David, he knew now that his portion, who is the Lord, will not and cannot be substituted by any pleasure that the wicked enjoy on the earth.