"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