Psalm 74 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 74.

Meditate on verses 1 and 12.

O God, why have You rejected us forever?

Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

Yet God is my king from of old,

Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth.

Asaph and the Israelites felt rejected by God.  The enemy had damaged everything within the sanctuary of the LORD (Psalm 74:3).  Asaph used words like smashed, burned, and defiled to describe what the adversary had done.

Asaph did two things in the midst of his depressing situation.  He remembered God’s faithfulness in the past, and He asked God to remember what the enemy did to His people (Psalm 74:12-18).

Based on recent messages I have received, there are many in the midst of grievous circumstances this Christmas.  You or someone you love may feel smashed by the enemy.  Please recall the blessings and faithfulness of God.  You may want to start with one of Asaph’s recollections: “You have made summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17).  Then cry to God for deliverance.

Pray Psalm 74:18-23 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Remember this, O LORD, that the enemy has reviled,

 and a foolish people has spurned Your name.

 Do not deliver the soul of Your turtledove, __________, and me to the wild beast;

do not forget the life of Your afflicted forever.

Consider the covenant,

for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. 

Let not the oppressed return dishonored;

 let the afflicted and needy praise Your name. 

Arise, O God, and plead Your own cause;

 remember how the foolish man reproaches You all day long.

 Do not forget the voice of Your adversaries,

the uproar of those who rise against You which ascends continually.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”