Daily Devotion of Psalm 79

Daily Nugget:
Because of Israel’s sin, the protecting hand of God was withheld from them. God allowed Israel’s enemies to be His instrument to turn Israel back to Him by the hardships the enemy inflicted on God’s wayward children.

Neighboring people looked at God’s people and had little respect for them. Israel may have been God’s people, but they lost their testimony and scarred the testimony of their God.
“We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.” Psalm 79:4

The nearby, ungodly neighbors most likely did not know why a people that were feared because of their God, now were such a poor example to His greatness. However, God’s people did understand why they were no longer a set-apart people. They knew God was angry at them for their sin (vs. 5). Humbly, they begged God to forget what they had done,
“O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.” Psalm 79:8

Israel knew there was no way to undo their sin. The only thing that would spare them from the wrath of God they deserved was His mercy. Israel pleaded for God’s kindness and compassion.

There is a time in many of our lives that we see all the damage our sin and disobedience to God’s commandments has done to our lives. Our character and integrity may be ruined far beyond repair in our eyes. However, there is a not so distant Hope. There are God’s undeserved mercy and forgiveness for what we have done.

With God’s undeserved merit, we can have a second, third, or even twentieth chance to be again what He wants of us. He can help the sinner overcome what has bound him and help him be the new creature in Christ God desires of him (II Cor. 5:7).
“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.” Psalm 79:9

Christian, do not give up if you have fallen, even more than once. There is hope! There is God’s wonderful mercy.

Today’s Thought: 
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Words to Understand:
Mercy: kindness; forgiveness; undeserved merit
Reproach: shame; weak testimony; disgrace
Scorn: disrespected; missing integrity and honor

— Bill Brinkworth

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 79
1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.
4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
6 ¶ Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.