A Prayer for Justice (Psalm 74), Part 3

God’s Obligation (verses 18-23) 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2074:18-23&version=NIV

Against the taunts of the enemy we can pray for God to have mercy. God will remember His congregation and our prayers will be answered in God’s time and manner. God will mercifully preserve the weak and visit the afflicted. Since God has declared that the whole earth will be filled with His glory, He will end this era of oppression. In the meantime may we walk uprightly before God and sing to Him our joy-filled songs.

See, Lord our God, how evil people around us mock You; they foolishly revile Your name. Do not forget Your afflicted people forever. You are our King who brings salvation. We boldly call on You to vindicate Your name here in Jefferson County. May Your church never cease to plead with You for justice.   

From the depths of nature’s blindness,

From the hardening power of sin,

From all malice and unkindness,

From the pride that lurks within;

By thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

John James Cummins (1795-1867)

A Prayer for Justice (Psalm 74), Part 2

God’s Provisions (verses 12-17) 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2074:12-17&version=NIV

Not only is God the Creator, He is also the Redeemer who rules over all creation. With God as our King we can submit to His will and rule. We have already experienced the rigors of winter and are now ready for the glow of His summer smile. May we live the bright summer days of joy in our Creator and Redeemer.

Thank You, Lord our God, that You are the Creator and our King from long ago. You set the boundaries of the earth; You made both summer and winter. You brought salvation on the earth. Demonstrate Your power in our community.

A Prayer for Justice (Psalm 74), Part 1

Psalm 73 asks why the wicked prosper; Psalm 74 asks why God does not do something. When we see faithful believers trusting God in times of distress, we learn that in our trials we can follow God. We can pray this psalm for persecuted believers.

God’s Anger (verses 1-11) 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2074:1-11&version=NIV

Why has God apparently cast off His people? How long must God’s children suffer? May our faith, more than our doubt, precipitate our questions. When we plead for God’s redemption, we have Calvary as our security. God has purchased our freedom from the penalty of sin by the blood of His own Son. Yet we can still see disaster among God’s people. Hypocrites abound in our churches, polluting the worship. Will this damage last forever? We risk becoming lethargic by thinking our work is worthless. But God measures by our character not by our accomplishments.  We will ultimately discover that our ‘how long’ has a limit, and our ‘why’ an answer. When we bring God our questions, He brings us His mercies. May our hard times lead us closer to God.

Lord God, remember Your people whom You have redeemed—the body of Christ in Jefferson County. Protect Your dwelling place and give us Your victory. Help us to hear and to heed Your Word.

http://genevanpsalter.com/attachments/GenPs074_vocal_poly_BoP84.MP3