October 21 - Psalm 75

October 21 - Psalm 75:1-10

This is another of the Psalms of Asaph. In the previous Psalm, he was lamenting the loss of Jerusalem and the incredible pain that the Israelites were facing as they were ripped from their homes. The very next Psalm begins with:

"We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds." (Psalm 75:1-10)

Before we come out of our pain and agony, before we get it all figured out. Right in the middle of the suffering is when we need to learn to give thanks. It is in that moment that we finally give up our own will and our own selfish thoughts and recognize that without God, we would be nothing and would not even have life.

Yesterday, I spoke about the permission we have to argue with God, to cry and plead and even question His actions in our lives. But, He does respond.

It is the Lord who chooses the time for things to happen, He is the one who will judge. But, He is the one who holds the pillars firm when the earth and its people quake. (Psalm 75:3)

This same Lord will deal with the arrogant and the wicked. He will bring down one man while exalting another. The Lord is the one who metes out punishment to those whom He has judged.

We need to be as the Psalmist, who sings: "As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob." (Psalm 75:9)

Even in the midst of turmoil, we need to learn to praise the One who has control and will deal with everything in His time.