The children of Ephraim mentioned in Psalm 78 failed the Lord, And they failed their fellow Israelites when their help was badly needed (vv.9-11).

What a tragedy it is when people fail in their warfare. Jesus warned us in Luke 9:62 about those who look back and do not fulfil the will of God. If we are looking back, we cannot plow ahead. And if we look back, we cannot fight as we ought. Yes there is a spiritual battle going on, and we need every soldier. But The children of Ephraim were unfaithful and turned back in the days of battle.

Something was wrong with their walk (v.10). God wanted them to walk in His law that He might help them win the battle, but they would not obey Him. They also forgot what God had done for them (v.11). Can you imagine forgetting a miracle? If a miracle took place in your life today, you would call a press conference! And you talk about it until the day the Lord called you home. Think of the miracle God did for His people. But they forgot what He had done for them. They turned against the law of God.

Unfaithfulness is common in people. But not so with God. Faithfulness is part of His character. This truth ought to encourage you if you know the Lord. Be faithful in your walk with God. Remember His works and be a faithful soldier in your battle for Him.

We have a responsibility to the next generation. Why should we share the Word of the Lord, works of God, and, the things of the Lord with the generation to come?

We share the word of the Lord because, “That they may set there hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments” (v.7). That’s preparing them for the future, because hope looks to the future. Christians are born again into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many people in the younger generation are setting their hope in the worldly materials. So we share the blessing of the Lord with the Generation to help them set their hope in God. How easy it is to forget what He has done for us! Yet if we keep reminding the next generation about the works of God, they will remember too. We also must share the things of the Lord so that they will keep His commandments. The Psalmist wasn’t talking about a legalistic life. He was talking about a loving obedience to the Lord. Yes, we do have a responsibility to the new generation, and we fulfil their responsibility by being a good example, by teaching, sharing and encouraging.

You are entrusted with your Christian heritage. When you share with the next generation the Word and works of God, you teach them valuable lesson about how He still works in the lives of His people. Strive to be an example that encourages the next generation to obey the Lord.

Asaph refuses to be comforted. He asked a lot of questions of the Lord. At the close of his discouragement, he came to two wonderful conclusion. First, in v.13 “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary; …” And second, v.19 “Thy way is in the sea, …”

What an unusual way to express faith! First, Asaph tells us that God’s way is in the sanctuary. His way is a way of sanctification and holiness. God leads us in grace and from grace to glory. If we are Living in the Holy of Holies, we will be able to discover God’s way.

Second, God’s way is in the sea. His way is hidden. We may not understand all of God’s leading. But this we know: God is leading. His way is in the sea, and if He has to, He will open up the sea for you. If necessary, He will help you walk on the water. But the Psalmist came to the right conclusion. God’s way is Holy, so obey Him. His way is hidden, so trust Him

Perhaps you’re going through a difficulty today and asking a lot of questions. Let God bring you closer to Himself by following His guidance.

Asking questions is much easier than answering them. If you have children or grandchildren, you know how true that is. These verses (7-10) contain a series of questions from a discouraged man. And then he concludes by saying: “This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.”

It’s normal to ask questions when we are going through difficulty and pain (read Ps.22:1; Matt.27:46). When we are going through difficulty, we expect God to move in, help us and deliver us. And when we are waiting for the deliverance, we get impatient. That’s when the questions come.

Don’t be afraid to be open and honest with God. Tell Him how you feel and what you’re thinking. He would rather you be honest about your feelings then hypocritical. But remember this: As Christians, we do not live on explanations; we live on promises. Supports God started to answer these questions, would it make any difference? It might ease your mind a little bit, but it wouldn’t really change your situation. Live by faith, not by sight. Trust the promises of the Lord. He will not change.

God does not always provide explanations for your difficulties, but He does provide the promises of His Word. The next time you find yourself in the midst of discouragement, bring your questions and concerns to Him in prayers. Then relay on the promises of His Word. God knows your needs and will meet them.

It doesn’t have to be dark outside for us to be in the middle of the night. Sometimes the darkness is in us. Discouragement moves in, and we are like Asaph, who said, “My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted” (v.2). What do you do when your soul refuse to be comforted?

Asaph tells us what we should do? First, talk God (v.1). Someone has suggested that when you can’t sleep at night, instead of counting sheep, talk to the Shepherd. Sometimes approaching the Lord is painful (v.3). When we remember God, sometimes we feel troubled, it’s simply because, we might have disobeyed God’s commandment or doubted His promises. But talking to the Lord also brings reassurance (v.5). He has cared for you in the past, and He will care for you in the future.

The second thing, talk to yourself (v.6). Talk to yourself about the Lord. Examine your life and your Christian walk. Your discouragement will be replaced by a song (v.6).

When you feel discouraged, get your eyes off your circumstances and onto the Lord. Also, examine your life. Talk to Him and let Him encourage you. Then talk to yourself and encourage yourself with the things of God. He will give you a song in the night.

We read and here so much about the love of God that we sometimes forget the fear of God. “Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?” (V.7). It’s the fear of the Lord, that reverent respect and awe that we show to Him because of His greatness and power. God is God and we are human beings.

The fear of God is not like the dread of a prisoner before a judge. It’s not the cringing of a servant before a master. It’s the reverent respect and awe of a child realising that greatness and the glory of God. We fear Him because He is so great (v.1). He is glorious (v.4). And, we also fear God because of who He is and what He has done (v.6).

What is the result of fearing God? God fights our battles. He goes before those who fear Him. We can stand before Him because Jesus intercedes for us. God will not be angry because of our sins. Jesus has taken care of that. Let’s fear the Lord, and He will fight our battles for us.

God deserves your reverent respect. And you have many reasons for giving it to Him. Take time to meditate on who He is and what He has done for you. Come into His presence and worship Him.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” — Proverbs 9:1

“But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” v.7

In this day when people promote themselves and take care of “number one,” it’s good to read verse 7. This rebukes our pride. “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (John 3:27). Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:6, “Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” No one in any position should think that he is there because God needs him.

Let’s realise that we are where we are because God put us there. But verse 7 not only rebukes our pride—it also encourages our patience. We need patience! Sometimes God allows His people to be under the tyranny of bad leaders or foreign dictators. Just as He did in the Old Testament, God allows us to go to difficult situation to break our wills and make us more like Him. Third, this relieves the pressure in our lives. Are you in a place of leadership? God put you there. And because He put you there, He will keep you there for as long as He wants. Be careful of pride. If we humble ourselves under His hand, that hand will turn over and left us up. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Pet.5:5).

Have you been struggling because you are under bad leaders at your workplace or in your church? Did poor decisions by others put them there? Bring your burden to God and talk to Him about it. Ask for His strength to continue and remember that He is the Judge.

“For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.”

-Psalm 74:12

Asaph wrote those (v.12) after surveying the damage the Babylonians wrought in Jerusalem and the Temple. In verses 1-11 he looked around and saw perpetual desolations. In verse 12 Asaph stopped looking around and looked up. He realized that God was on the throne. Asaph looked up and said, “The Enemy may be working destruction; but my King, and He is working salvation in the midst of the earth.” Asaph remembered what God had done in the past (vv.13-23). We like the day but not the night. Remember, God controls the night as well as the day. Asaph was going through a night season in his soul as he saw everything around him falling apart. What was the solution? Trust.

As the Enemy been doing his destructive work in your life? Lay hold of the encouragement of this psalm: God is on the throne; He is helping to deliver you; and He is faithful to act as He has in the past. Start by acknowledging His control in your life. Ask Him to help you and courageously place your trust in Christ Jesus. For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Psalm 74 reveals the Heart break of Asaph.

It must have been difficult for the Jewish people to watch the Babylonians destroyed their city and temple. This happened because the people had sinned. They trusted the city and the temple, but they did not obey the Lord. In their sin, they had defiled the temple. They had turned it into a den of thieves (Jer.7:11). God would not permit this, so He allowed the Babylonians to destroy the city and the temple.

Even today the Enemy is destroying God’s work. What can God’s people do? We are the sheep of His pasture (v.1). He’s the Good Shepherd, and He has given His life for the sheep. What defense does sheep have against a Babylonian army? Jesus, The Shepherd.

We are also God’s congregation. We are purchased and redeemed people (v.2). God lives with us. Jerusalem and the temple destroyed, but He had even greater things in store. Jesus came to earth and reveal the glory of God. Now He’s building a New Temple, His Church, and it can never be destroyed.

God is your trust. If you trust Him, you will want to obey Him. Be careful that you don’t misplace your trust in the world’s substitute. The Enemy will do all he can to divert your trust in God. Keep trusting in the Lord and rejoice that He never fails.

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” —v.24. Asaph wrote this verse after he had gone through period of doubt, and it was a wonderful conclusion to his severe depression. He came out of His experience with several certainties.

The wicked may have violence, bounty prosperity and a full cup of appearing blessing. But we have God, and he holds us (v.23). God guides us (v.24). The important thing—the afterward. What’s going to afterward? We can be sure that we will be with Him forever. And also, God strengthen us (v.26), and God helps us in every stage of life (v.28). Wherever we’re, whatever we’re going through, we must draw near to God and we must put our trust in the Lord God and declare His works (v.28).

The promise of an eternal home in heaven with the Lord and encourages us in this life. God purchased you with a great price, and He keeps us and protects us through everything. What assurance we have!