A Plea

Day 79.

Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for your name’s sake! Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants
be known among the nations before our eyes! (Psalm 79:8-10 ESV)

This plea comes after Jerusalem has fallen leaving Israel in a despairing situation. They know, as the prophets have told them, that Jerusalem’s fall came from the Lord as a result of their own sin. It is a major event in redemptive history. At the same time it invites us to consider our own unfavorable circumstances. When things aren’t as you hope it is easy to begin wondering what you’ve done wrong; what hidden sin has brought God’s anger against you. Whether or not this is the case, the plea of the psalmist brings good news. In their case, the disaster is known to be the result of their own sin and yet still the psalmist prays,

Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
for we are brought very low.

There is still hope. It does not come from our promise to turn things around, though we desire to do so. It does not come because we have turned things around. It comes only because we know that God is a compassionate God, and to that we appeal.

Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for your name’s sake! Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”

God’s glory and name are on the line and so we rest assured, knowing that our appeal has something far more solid than our own credibility to support it. That is good news for the weary soul.