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Shirley H
Supporter
Read Psalm 73. It is another of Asaph's Psalms. In verses 1-3, Asaph describes the crisis of faith that he had experienced. He begins with the premise that God is good to Israel. However, his confession is that he almost lost his faith. Why? Because he became jealous of the wealth and success that those who disregard God experience! The actions and the attitudes of unbelievers place no constraints on them. They always land on their feet, and skate through unscathed! These people wear their sins like gold jewelry! Their violence and pride are strutted around in the face of people who are struggling to do what is pleasing to God! Their lustful appetites are always satisfied! They boast about their evil accomplishments. Asaph concluded that God did not care to engage in a relationship with Israel. As some say today, “Live, laugh, love, be happy....for tomorrow we die! So what! Big deal! I can't change the world, or myself!” He was having the same crises we all face - is there really a loving God?
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Why was the psalmist, Asaph, troubled? He questions: Psalm 77:7 I asked, “Will the Lord reject me forever? Will he never again show me his favor? 77:8 Has his loyal love disappeared forever? Has his promise failed forever? 77:9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has his anger stifled his compassion?” The way the hymnist put it is this: Recalling days when faith was bright, When songs of gladness filled my night, I pondered o'er my grievous woes And searching questioning arose: Will God cast off, and nevermore His favor to my soul restore? When Asaph first remembers God, his sorrow is increased because he blamed his suffering on God (Psalm 77:7-9). It was so different to his happy life before problems came (Psalm 77:5-6). He is really remembering here, and this bothers him. Finally, Asaph remembers something else about God. "But the psalms doesn't end here, does it?" This was the question Rabbi Yussif asks Eden, Simon Peter's wife, after they just lost their baby, a miscarriage. This is on The Chosen, Season 3, Episode 8. It could have happened. Yussif uses Psalm 77 to help the troubled mother who was angry with God. But he uses it to help her deal with her anger. And she is restored! The psalm ends on a high note: God performed miracles (Psalm 77:11-18): He redeemed his people by his strength. God did it then, and still does it today: He rescues His troubled people (Ps 77:11-12, 16-20). Now doesn't that restore your confidence in God?
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