“Truth for Truckers” *April 14, 2014* Psalm 74 “Crying for Help”
Crying for Help is the focus of this Psalm
written by Asaph who was a singer, a professional musician who was the leader in
the appointed company of singers selected for temple worship. His position as
leader of music/worship is demonstrated here for he is the author of an
important song during the time after the destruction of ‘All the synagogues of God in the land’, which occurred during the
fierce persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes III in second century before Christ.
This horrendous event in the history of
Israel runs parallel with the final and most devastating persecution by the
Antichrist at the end of the age as recorded by the Lord in Matthew
24:15,21,22: ‘When ye therefore shall see
the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the
holy place, (whoso reads , let him understand)...For then shall be great
tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no,
nor ever shall be. And, except those days should be shortened, there should no
flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened.’
Bible scholars of every eschatological
persuasion recognize the parallels and types set forth by this Syrian king
during his attempt to destroy the Jewish people and their covenant based faith
in the God of the Hebrew Scriptures. His desecration of the temple is prophesied
in Daniel 11:31, and prophetically referred to in three other places in his
prophecy: 8:11, 9:27, 12:11 pointing to the Antichrist’s defilement of the
temple during the end of this age. (II Thessalonians 2:4)
This Maschil, or song of instruction,
contains (13) requests to God for help, and (5) questions directed to God in an
attempt to discern the reasons for this intense affliction upon the people of
God. This instruction will be invaluable for those who will go through this
very persecution at the end of the age when the Antichrist will be empowered by
Satan and the murder/martyrdom of the saints will be common.
Therefore, the information gleaned from
this song of instruction is vital and necessary for those who are experiencing
persecution now, and those who will undergo the last and most intense assault
on God’s people ever in the history of mankind. This future time in history is
referred to in the (5) questions asked by Asaph: ‘O GOD, why hast Thou cast us off for ever? Why doth Thine anger smoke
against the sheep of Thy pasture?...O God, how long shall the adversary
reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme Thy name forever? Why withdrawest Thou Thy
hand, even Thy right hand?
During that day it will look like, to the
people of God, that He has indeed ‘Cast
us off’ due to unrelenting successful efforts of the Antichrist as he
persecutes and kills the saints. During that day the people of God will ask: ‘Why doth Thine anger smoke against the
sheep of Thy pasture? Because they will recognize that all events in the
life of a child of God are filtered through the hand of our loving Lord.
During that day the people of God will
recognize that ‘The adversary’ the
Devil himself is in charge of all this calamity. During that day the people of
God will recognize that the blasphemy of the enemy as he make his boasts and
self exalting claims against God. During that day it will seem like ‘The right hand’ of God, noted for his
might and great power to defeat the enemies of God’s people in the past, has
been withdrawn, and there is no help from heaven.
Yes, during that day the saints will be
asking these same questions in the midst of the most vicious and powerful
assault ever on the people of the living God. But, Asaph did not stop with just
these negative questions which seem to put God Himself and His sovereign
actions to the test. No, after asking these questions he makes a series of
faith-building statements concerning the person and work of God.
And, here is where we need to dwell in
time of deep affliction when it seems that all is lost and God has withdrawn
His presence and power from our lives.
His first declaration: ‘For God is
my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth’ affirms the
position of Jehovah as King, the Ruler, the one who Reigns over the affairs of
earth by bringing salvation, or deliverance, to His people ‘in the midst of the
earth.
Jesus
is LORD, rejoice regardless is the answer in times of great distress, no matter
what the circumstance or situation. We must remember He is King, the King of
kings and LORD of lords, He is my Light and Salvation, I will not fear what man
can do unto me. If persecution, we must realize that Jesus paid it all, He was
persecuted beyond our own ability to realize. If suffering, we must rejoice
knowing that we are counted worthy to suffer for His name. If martyrdom, then
we enter in glory...Amen?
While we but skimmed the surface of this
song of instruction, the bottom line and formula for success remains: ‘Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher
of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him that endured such affliction of sinners against Himself, lest
ye be wearied and faint in your minds.’ (Hebrews 12:2, 3)
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