Read Psalm 74:1-8. 1O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? 2Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—Mount Zion, where you dwelt. 3Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. 4Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs. 5They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. 6They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. 7They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name. 8They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
This heartbreaking psalm of Asaph was born out of one of Judah’s darkest days – the destruction of the temple by Babylon. But was this God’s final word? Has he rejected them forever? Or is there still hope? Isn’t Judah still his inheritance? His purchase? His redemption? If God brought his people out of Egypt, can he not also restore them once again?
If we ever think that God’s chosen ones won’t face complete collapse, then we are sorely mistaken. In fact, this is the very pattern of the Christian life – death precedes resurrection. Even Jesus himself was left alone to suffer and die for sin.
Why does Asaph tell God what he already knows? What God himself orchestrated? Is it to inform God? Obviously not. It is the cry of faith that calls on the God who has seemingly rejected his people to remember. To act. To do for his people what he did before. Remember your nation, your inheritance, your redeemed.
Is this not the prayer of the one who is in Christ? Does not to live is Christ mean that we never again need ask have you rejected us forever? Our union with Christ answers this question once and for all.
We are remembered not rejected.
You: Have you ever felt rejected by God?
You in Christ: How does our union with Christ prove that we will never be rejected by God?
Christ in you: What habit can you put in place that will help you to remember that you will always be remembered by the Christ in you?
Pray: Jesus, you took my rejection on the cross and were remembered on the third day. Even in my total collapse may I know that you have never forsaken me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 