"Will the Foe Revile Your Name Forever?"
Psalms 74:1–11
“O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture? Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of Your inheritance, whom You redeemed— Mount Zion, where You dwelt. Turn Your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. Your foes roared in the place where You met with us; they set up their standards as signs. They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. They burned Your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of Your Name. They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. How long will the enemy mock You, God? Will the foe revile Your name forever? Why do You hold back Your hand, Your right hand? Take it from the folds of Your garment and destroy them!”
Arise LORD and crush Your enemies, those who mock You and Your children, do not let us suffer in shame for living according to Your light, vindicate us in our choice to follow You as we strive and struggle to keep our hearts pure and our hands clean. Frustrate the plans of those who intend to entrap and devour Your sheep, those who curse Your creation and those You have chosen, those who have chosen to follow You. Strengthen the resolve of Your children through the mighty resurrected Christ Your firstborn, who dwells in the hearts of us, Your children. Have mercy upon us, we are fallen, but we stand back up each time and we love You in the deepest recesses of our minds. Amid frustration and the stress of every day, give us courage and strength to stand for who we are in You and act accordingly, aid us in holding fast to Your divine exchange. Help us Holy Spirit God with us, to live a life worthy in the eyes of the Father and humanity, that we may influence our communities, our workplaces, our nations, where You have placed us, by our character and acts. Let us be authoritative loving apostles of Your good news and may we demonstrate this very love You gave to us unto our neighbours at every touch point. Help us to be wise in everything that we do and know when to retreat (but never surrender) and when to fight and move forward with all that we have for love and justice, for Your glory. God bless us with joy and delight that comes from You, the peace that transcends all understanding. Grant us o LORD, Your eternal perspective that we may see as You do, through smokescreens and into people’s hearts. Give us discernment at every moment, sober and objective judgment in every situation and help us influence others with the right words at the right time, loving in everything. Though some reject us and Your message, our faith, we pray many will come home to You through each of us. We love You LORD we delight in our relationship with You, help us hear Your voice and remind us gently to listen to Your wise counsel. We love Your word and we earnestly desire to know You and love You, to obey You and trust You, and be like You. Thank You. You are all we need. Be with us always. In Jesus Christ’s precious name. Amen.
“O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture? Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of Your inheritance, whom You redeemed— Mount Zion, where You dwelt. Turn Your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. Your foes roared in the place where You met with us; they set up their standards as signs. They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. They burned Your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of Your Name. They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. How long will the enemy mock You, God? Will the foe revile Your name forever? Why do You hold back Your hand, Your right hand? Take it from the folds of Your garment and destroy them!”
Arise LORD and crush Your enemies, those who mock You and Your children, do not let us suffer in shame for living according to Your light, vindicate us in our choice to follow You as we strive and struggle to keep our hearts pure and our hands clean. Frustrate the plans of those who intend to entrap and devour Your sheep, those who curse Your creation and those You have chosen, those who have chosen to follow You. Strengthen the resolve of Your children through the mighty resurrected Christ Your firstborn, who dwells in the hearts of us, Your children. Have mercy upon us, we are fallen, but we stand back up each time and we love You in the deepest recesses of our minds. Amid frustration and the stress of every day, give us courage and strength to stand for who we are in You and act accordingly, aid us in holding fast to Your divine exchange. Help us Holy Spirit God with us, to live a life worthy in the eyes of the Father and humanity, that we may influence our communities, our workplaces, our nations, where You have placed us, by our character and acts. Let us be authoritative loving apostles of Your good news and may we demonstrate this very love You gave to us unto our neighbours at every touch point. Help us to be wise in everything that we do and know when to retreat (but never surrender) and when to fight and move forward with all that we have for love and justice, for Your glory. God bless us with joy and delight that comes from You, the peace that transcends all understanding. Grant us o LORD, Your eternal perspective that we may see as You do, through smokescreens and into people’s hearts. Give us discernment at every moment, sober and objective judgment in every situation and help us influence others with the right words at the right time, loving in everything. Though some reject us and Your message, our faith, we pray many will come home to You through each of us. We love You LORD we delight in our relationship with You, help us hear Your voice and remind us gently to listen to Your wise counsel. We love Your word and we earnestly desire to know You and love You, to obey You and trust You, and be like You. Thank You. You are all we need. Be with us always. In Jesus Christ’s precious name. Amen.
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