"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!