Psalms of Honesty and Truth

The background of this psalm is probably God’s judgment of the Assyrian army as recorded in Isaiah 37–38 and 2 Kings 18–19. But the emphasis in this psalm is on the God who accomplished the victory and not on the miracle itself. God’s mighty works reveal the greatness of His character and His power (75:1). Sennacherib’s officers boasted of their king and his conquests, but their dead idols were no match for the true and living God.

We cry out for our God to defeat our own enemies today. Do we trust that He will? Do we think he is watching over the election coming up that is on everyone’s minds? Is there a situation you are overwhelmed with at the moment that you wonder if God knows about?

Psalm 76, New Living Translation
For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph. A song to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

1 God is honored in Judah;
his name is great in Israel.
2 Jerusalem[a] is where he lives;
Mount Zion is his home.
3 There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy,
the shields and swords and weapons of war. Interlude

4 You are glorious and more majestic
than the everlasting mountains.[b]
5 Our boldest enemies have been plundered.
They lie before us in the sleep of death.
No warrior could lift a hand against us.
6 At the blast of your breath, O God of Jacob,
their horses and chariots lay still.

7 No wonder you are greatly feared!
Who can stand before you when your anger explodes?
8 From heaven you sentenced your enemies;
the earth trembled and stood silent before you.
9 You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God,
and to rescue the oppressed of the earth. Interlude

10 Human defiance only enhances your glory,
for you use it as a weapon.[c]
11 Make vows to the Lord your God, and keep them.
Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One.
12 For he breaks the pride of princes,
and the kings of the earth fear him.

Asaph shares four basic truths about Jehovah God.

God Wants Us to Know Him (vv. 1-3).
God Wants Us to Trust Him (vv. 4-6).
God Wants Us to Fear Him (vv. 7-9).
God Wants Us to Obey Him (vv. 10-12).

“No one can know the true grace of God,” wrote A. W. Tozer, “who has not first known the fear of God.” To really know the greatness of God overwhelms us with reverence and respect for only God. We trust him because of His greatness, power and majesty. He is always at work, never sleeps, wants the best for us, and loves us so much He sent His Son to save us. NOTHING gets passed our God! He sees all we are inside and what we are going through from day to day. He even delights in all the details that we miss! He is there rescuing us before we even know we need rescuing!

God defeated the Assyrian army without God’s people raising a sword. He did while everyone was asleep! Why don’t we trust him now? Today? With all of life? With all our hearts, minds and very souls? He IS in control. We ARE redeemed!

Instead of resisting the Lord–a losing battle–we should be grateful to Him for rescuing us (v. 9) and saving us from our sins. Asaph spoke to the Jewish believers and told them to keep the promises they made to the Lord when Jerusalem was in danger. How easy it is to make vows and not keep them!

Reflect and take action…
–What can we trust God to do in our life, right now, today?

Dear Heavenly Father, We love how You work. We stand in awe of You and how You always come through with the right solution for every problem. You heal us in the middle of it all. You lift us up and encourage us. You are God…and we are not. We bow down before You with love, respect and reverent, trembling fear. Thank you for loving us so much You were willing to go to hell and back for us. In Jesus Name, and by His power, Amen. I believe.