A Bad Penny
“Forget not the voice of Thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against Thee increaseth continually.” Psalm 74:23
Psalm 74 was written by one of the descendants of Asaph who was the minister of music, the choir director, or the song leader, whichever title one prefers, for King David. He and/or his descendants wrote Psalm 50 and 73 through 83. Many of the Psalms, changing names and circumstances, could be written today, but they would have to be written by people who are attune to God and His overall plans for mankind. This Psalm was written after the attack on Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army. God had allowed Babylon to destroy Jerusalem and take many of the Judeans into captivity in Babylon because of the sin and idolatry of God’s people. They had plenty of warning from several prophets that God sent including Jeremiah, but they were too stubborn and too in love with their sins to heed the warning. In studying scripture, I find that God always sends a warning before He brings punishment.
The Psalmist lamented that it seemed as though God had cast off His people for good. But they were the ones that He had chosen as His very own people, a people who would serve and worship Him, and lead the known world to learn of the greatness and glory of God so that all peoples would love and serve Him. Jerusalem, Mount Zion, was His chosen place to occupy and make His presence known, but those who did not know Him, He allowed to destroy His beloved city. They spared no mercy. They demolished His house, the temple, and were happy to do it, leaving nothing of the heritage of His people except ruins. I can’t help but wonder what went through the minds of the average citizen of Jerusalem, particularly those who had been so adamant about serving their idols and abandoning the God who loved them and provided for them. How long would He allow this carnage and destruction to come upon them? Why doesn’t He punish those who destroy His city? The Psalmist asked God how long He would allow the enemy to blaspheme His name. Why did He withdraw His hand of protection over His people?
The writer then turned to speak of the goodness and majesty of God. He is the Almighty King who brought salvation. He divided the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross in order to escape the Egyptians. He provided food and water for His people as they journeyed to the promised land. He also divided the Jordan River for them to cross. He made night and day, land and sea, summer and winter. The Psalmist called on God to remember how the enemy had behaved and blasphemed, and intreated the LORD to protect His weak little turtledoves from the vultures, the wicked men who did not honor the LORD God. He asked God to help His people to “man-up” and praise His name. Call out Your enemies, LORD. They have insulted You long enough. But they just keep coming.
In some respects, I know how the writer feels. Our nation, regardless of what the revisionists say, was founded on Christian principles by men who wanted freedom to worship God and not be under the thumb of oppression by others who did not want to relinquish control of an entire body of people. That is the problem with secular rule. People desire power and control over others. When Israel demanded a human king (I Samuel 8:4-22), they were warned of the difficult consequences that would ensue, but they didn’t care. They decided a human king would be less demanding that having God for their king. They found out the hard way how wrong they were. And here we are today.
The wicked and ungodly keep turning up like a bad penny. Just when we think things are quieting down, we hear another bit of news that we have a hard time believing. We wonder, I know that I do, how much longer God will put up with such blasphemy, ungodliness, and evil that is being carried on right before our eyes, and right before His. However, scripture tells us not to fret because of evil men (Proverbs 24:19a). It seems like the line of demarcation between those who love God and are following Christ and those who apparently hate Him is growing wider by the day. It would be smart to make sure that we are on the right side of that line by obeying, worshiping, and trusting that God will make all things right in His timing.