Scripture
Vs 3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!
8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
14 Turn again, O God of hosts!
Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,
17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
Psalm 82
Scripture
82:1 God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!
Observation
This is an overwhelming testimony to God’s ultimate sovereignty.
Good and Bad happen because of God.
The “Good” …
“You cleared out the ground” for your people to become established …
But also … the “Bad” …
The author sings “You made us an object of contention and our neighbors laugh at us”.
Yet, the author still clamors for God’s face to shine upon them!
Why? … “That they be saved”!
Only God is the source of salvation!
The people understand they will not save themselves …
If they are to be saved
It is God who does the saving!
Application
Do I allow everything in my life …
Good or bad to drive me in the direction of God?
When good happens … do I credit God and his grace?
When bad happens …
Do I credit God for bringing to my attention the need for Him above anything else?
Good or bad … it’s all ultimately temporary …
All the nations … in other words, everything on earth is His!
And He will make rain fall on the good and the bad.
Wheat and weeds will grow in the field.
Am I ok with this?
Do I trust God?
A recurring question I must answer in the affirmative …
God can do as He pleases … Does this please me?
Prayer
Help me see You in my days and years and circumstances no matter what God.
Good or bad
Help me cling to you as you cling to me
Help me share your goodness
And be content in your judgement
In Jesus name
Amen