#810 Where is Their God?

O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;

they have defiled your holy temple;

they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

2 They have given the bodies of your servants

to the birds of the heavens for food,

the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.

3 They have poured out their blood like water

all around Jerusalem,

and there was no one to bury them.

4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors,

mocked and derided by those around us.

5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?

Will your jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out your anger on the nations

that do not know you,

and on the kingdoms

that do not call upon your name!

7 For they have devoured Jacob

and laid waste his habitation.

8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities;

let your compassion come speedily to meet us,

for we are brought very low.

9 Help us, O God of our salvation,

for the glory of your name;

deliver us, and atone for our sins,

for your name's sake!

10 Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Let the avenging of the out-poured blood of your servants

be known among the nations before our eyes!

11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;

according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!

12 Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors

the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!

13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,

will give thanks to you forever;

from generation to generation we will recount your praise. Psalm 79 ESV

A Psalm of Asaph.

This is a sad cry, and it is not only the unfaithful but the wheat has also been chopped down with the tares. The blood of the martyrs has long been the fertilizer for the planting of the church. The word martyr itself, meant witness, but it has been attached to so many things now, regardless of the system, right or wrong. Even now, regardless of the severity of suffering or the basis, there is also a martyr complex. Some hope for martyrdom as a means to eternal greatness, but this again becomes an elevation of the self, rather than a witness to the truth and glory of God. 

Many of the prophets were hated, rejected and martyred. It is held by some historians that Isaiah was sawn in half. The Bible tells of Jezebel's pursuit of Elijah. John the Baptist was beheaded. Saul held Stephen's garment as he was stoned, and all of the 12 disciples were killed, except John the beloved, who was a prisoner on Patmos. Early church history held that Peter was placed upon a cross, but asked to be upside down, for he did not deserve to die as his Lord. 

36 Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate.… Matthew 23: 36-38

After much persecution came a darker, more sinister evil in the church. The church combined with the government, and she paid more homage to the traditions of men then the word of God. That gospel, those truths for which the early church was willing to die for, were exchanged for superstition and goddess worship. When the gospel reappeared, when the light of the word shone again, by the Spirit who inspired it, the popes and kings of that era ran quickly to snuff it out. 

The Holy Roman Empire and Charles V moved with force on the Edict of Worms, a judgment against Luther and all else who may follow the reformation. Luther attacked an institution that pronounced Christ but did not follow Him. He attacked a system of politics, greed and false doctrines, exposing the lie, he and his followers were called the heretics. 

Heinrich Moller was burned at the stake. In Lollards Pit, Norwich, August 19, 1531, Thomas Bilney was executed by Bishop Nix, who was later quoted as saying, "I fear I have burned Abel and let Cain go." People have died in many ages for the desire to share the word faithfully. This goes on in many countries, but people also die for vain ideas as well. Death is not the proof of truth.

If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

Do not remember against us our former iniquities - Will God be angry with His people forever. I wish pastors, no, not just pastors, but all of us would pray in such a manner. Lord, forgive us, not so we may know ease, not just for the former things, but forgive us for such an anemic church, unrepentant and so careless with Your word. Sanctify us so that we may grow and that our works will be pleasing in Your sight.

Where is there God - Men think that might has made right, that Asaph's God is weak. We tend to look at wealth, health and popularity as the signs of God's anointing, yet the Son of man had no place to lay His head. Lord, defend Your name, let Your cause be known, Your glory magnified.

iii. “Prayer is therefore here made by the faithful, that God, not to gratify any vindictive spirit of theirs, but to vindicate his own attributes, would break the teeth of the oppressor, and work a public and glorious salvation for his chosen.” (Horne)

Preserve those doomed to die - 

i. Clarke says those who are appointed to die is literally “‘Sons of death.’ Either those who were condemned to death because of their crimes, or condemned to be destroyed by their oppressors. Both these senses apply to the Israelites: they were sons of death, i.e., worthy of death because of their sins against God; they were condemned to death or utter destruction, by their Babylonish enemies.” (Clarke)

ii. “They denied thine existence, mocked thy power, insulted thy worship, and destroyed thy house; up, therefore, O Lord, and make them feel to the full that thou art not to be mocked with impunity. Pour into their laps good store of shame because they dared insult the God of Israel.” (Spurgeon)

The sheep of Your pasture, will give thanks to You forever - We belong to You. We are Your inheritance, bought by the blood of Your lamb. You are the great shepherd. We praise You, We worship You, because You alone are worthy.

…10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.… John 10: 10-12