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Perspective:-
The Anguish and Assurance of Asaph. Psa 74
Introduction:
Asaph was a Levite who led the choirs during the days of King David. 1Chro 16:37. In the book of Psalms, we have 12 Psalms that are attributed to him. (Psa 50, 73 83). We are not aware of the exact time when Aspah wrote Psalm 74. Some Bible scholars believe that there is a possibility that someone wrote it for Asaph, so that a choir in his name could sing. In spite of the obscurity in connection with the historical background, the contents are very much relevant for the time we now are in.
Here we see the prayers of a godly man for His people. He begins and concludes with a petition. cf. vs 1, 2a, 22, 23a. In between these prayers he refers to the reasons for such an appeal and the truths that encourage him to trust the Lord in prayer. Thus we can notice three main sections in this Psalm.
(a) The Agony of a Godly Man: His Pain
(b) The Appeal of a Godly Man: His Prayer
(c) The Assurance of a Godly Man: His Ponderings
I. The Agony of a Godly Man: His Pain.
We see here that Asaph was worried and troubled over the poor condition of Jerusalem. He refers to three specific things that caused distress in his heart.
a Gods house was under attack. vs. 3 - 6
The enemy attacked their temple and the city of Jerusalem. Prayer halls synagogues were burnt down. Banners referring to God and His people were replaced with those of the enemy. The Psalmist was anguished over the sad, terrible state of the house of Godthe sanctuary - the place where God dwelt and used to meet them.
Today, we know the church is the temple of God. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1Cori 3:16. Dont we see a similar Satanic attack against the local assemblies today? Yes, the Lord said, gates of hades will never prevail. This means that satanic forces will try their best to destroy and deform the Lords assembly.
Notice what the enemy did according to Psa. 74:
v. 3b damaged everything in the sanctuary.
v. 4b. Set up their banners for signs. Cf. v.9a we do not see any signs
The enemies not just destroyed everything in the temple; they replaced the banners that signified the Jewish ownership of the temple with their own banners. Both these incidents can be noticed among the people of God even today. There is an overall spiritual deterioration and declension. Apart from that, the enemy is trying his best to destroy the distinguishing features of the people of God. The wicked one has successfully set up his signs and banners among the saints! Without any hesitation, many gladly imitate the world, thinking that to be progress and modernity.
Remember how Daniel and his friends responded to such efforts. Cf. Dan 1:7ff. They did not object to the name change, but strongly withstood against the change of food, style of worship, etc. They were even willing to pay the price for their commitment to protect their identity and devotion. Dan 3:17, 18
v. 6. They breakdown its curved works
Another vicious work of the enemy was the removal of the works of art that gave beauty and splendor to the temple. These works of art were the work of skilled men in the past. The enemy destroyed them at once.
Today we can notice exactly the same: the work of the great men of God in the past that gave beauty and shape to the local assemblies is being broken down. The distinctive marks of the people of God, their unique lifestyle, pattern of ministry, name and shape - are all being disappeared. Like the godly psalmist, are we troubled seeing such a state of affairs? Are we concerned about the degeneration that is taking place in the house of God? Are we concerned about the local assemblies everywhere? 2Co 11:28
Why is it so serious?
Why should we feel pained in such circumstances? Cf.vs. 2, 7, 18
Asaph makes it very clear. When Gods house is defiled and destroyed, its Gods name that is defiled and blasphemed. Remember, failure of Gods people is not just a loss to the saints, but a defeat and shame for Gods name, for they are His sheep and inheritance.
Yes, the Psalmist understood the value and the greatness of the house of God. So, he is disturbed and pained and at the attack of the enemy.
b. Gods people are ignorant. v. 9b
Another reason for his worry is that there is no prophet to communicate Gods word for that time. There could be somebody, but the Psalmist finds none. So the general condition of Gods people is ignorance and indifference. More
Out line:-
DIVINE OPENINGS
- Opened heart to receive Christ. Act 16:14
- Opened scripture to reveal Christ. Luke 24:32
- Opened understanding to learn Christ. Luke 24: 45
- Opened heavens to receive the righteous. Act 7: 56
Anecdote: -
God Answers Prayer
An officer in World War I gave this account of Gods miraculous protection in their battlefield. A German machine gun crew had their gun trained on an angle of their trenches where troops frequently passed back and forth, and the casualties were many.
As a last resort volunteers were called to storm the German gun in the open. Fifteen men volunteered. They were well aware of the danger involved. The young officer appointed to lead them, addressed the volunteers as follows: Men, I am a Christian. Before every undertaking I pray, those of you who are willing, kneel with me and pray about this one.
Then he uncovered his head and kneelt down and prayed, asking God to spare their lives, but if any must go that their souls might be saved. When he arose from his knees he noted that every one of them had knelt with uncovered head.
Then they went over the top and raced for the machine gun nest amid a hail of lead and steel. They overcame the gun crew, tore up the gun and took it with them as they ran back to their trenches not a man missing or seriously wounded.
Source: Gospel Herald
study: -
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" Mark 7:16
According to the gospel writers at least on six occasions the Lord Jesus used this form of speech, he who has ears let him hear. Cf. Matt 11:15; 13:9, 43 etc. Later in His glorified state also, while giving messages to the seven local churches in Asia Minor through Apostle John, from the Island of Patmos the Lord used similar proverbial expression in all of those letters. Rev 2: 7, 11, 17 etc.
What does this recurring phrase signify? A careful study of the context in which He uttered these words reveals many truths relevant for even today. Five things are noteworthy:
1. Indispensability of Christs message.
Even a casual reading of these passages in the gospels, tell us that the Lord Jesus was revealing something very important. He was declaring certain spiritual truths that are fundamental and revolutionary, which no one should miss out. Let me just summarize the major themes of those passages for your quick consideration: More
Worthy Quotes:-
Assurance
"Assurance grows by repeated conflict, by our repeated experimental proof of the Lord's power and goodness to save."
_________ - John Newton
"Dear friend, without the fullest confidence as to your saved condition, you have no right to be at ease, and I pray you may never be so."
_________ - Charles Spurgeon
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