Psalms 81:10-16

“I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. “But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries. The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever. He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.””

Psalms 81:10-16 NKJV

Of course the Psalmist is speaking to Israel, but this really applies to anyone of Christian faith. Our slavery was not in Egypt, it was our sin. But the Lord delivered us! Yet we’re still try to do our own thing. If we would only put our faith wholly in Him, He would provide only good things but we often don’t, so he gives in and lets us fail.

Psalms 80:7

“Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!”

Psalms 80:7 NKJV

Restoration, and joy comes from the Lord. I can never, ever forget that.

Psalms 79:9

“Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name’s sake!”

Psalms 79:9 NKJV

Israel is in a bad way, and while Asaph, the Psalmist, is crying out to God, at the end, he is pointing out that God ultimately has a purpose – which ultimately is for His name to be known.

Psalms 78:34-35

“When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God. Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer.”

Psalms 78:34-35 NKJV

Asaph is thinking on the coming and goings of the children of Israel from the time they left Egypt. Throughout this chapter he reminds us how they perpetually sinned against God, and turned away from Him, despite seeing His marvelous works. These verses stood out to me though, because when He pulled back His blessing and they began to suffer – then they turned to Him.

It is so easy to become complacent when things are going well, and God knows this – so I believe that is when He sends obstacles our way…

Psalms 77:7-12

“Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.”

Psalms 77:7-12 NKJV

I can relate. Just two days ago I had a really major blow, one that caused me to be disillusioned and even called my faith into question. But how can I do this? How can I question my faith when I think of all the has done for me? When I look on the works of His hands?

Psalms 76:10

“Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself.”

Psalms 76:10 NKJV

The wrath of man is nothing compared to that of God, but it can be turned to praise to God.

Psalms 75:1

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.”

Psalms 75:1 NKJV

Yes! God’s works declare His Name is near! Where His Great Name is, that is where He is!!!

Look around, look at all He has done – He is with me! What have I got to fear? What is fear? It is a tool of the devil, and I will not let it get the best of me. NEVER!

Psalms 74:1-2

“O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed— This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.”

Psalms 74:1-2 NKJV

I can feel like this at times. Like God has left me to my own devices, but I know He bought me – Jesus bought me, with His blood – He won’t forsake me. Trials are to make me better and stronger.

Psalms 73:26-28

“My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.”

Psalms 73:26-28 NKJV

The Psalmist starts saying how he almost stumbled because he envied the lifestyle of the wicked. But he closes with this. It is good for him to draw near to the Lord, to put his trust in Him. Because in doing so, he will see all that the Lord has done and he can declare it – I.e. not keep it in.

Psalms 72:18-19

“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.”

Psalms 72:18-19 NKJV

This chapter ends saying that this is the end of the prayers of David, perhaps this is the last of the Psalms he wrote? If so, what a great way to end them! What jumps out to me here is the fact that God only does wondrous things. At first, I thought it said wonderful – and He does those too, but this is a little different. Wonderful has been taken to mean good and pleasing to the beholder – but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes God does things that I may not see as wonderful, at least not in the moment, but it is still wondrous – because the great power that goes into it is, well, wondrous! I cannot fathom the power that God has and that He uses when He does ANYTHING. How can we forget just how powerful He truly is???