Psalm 74  The first 11 verses of this psalm paint a picture of destruction... destruction of the Lord's House, the temple in Jerusalem.  In despair, the psalmist cries, "O God, why hast Thou rejected us forever?"

It felt like the end.. the Temple was ruined.. everything had been damaged by the enemy.. "It seems as if one had lifted up his axe in a forest of trees. And now all its carved work they smash with hatchet and hammers.  They have burned Thy sanctuary to the ground."  The beautiful temple.. built by Solomon was no longer standing. It meant everything to Israel.. even though they were unfaithful to the God whose name was meant to be honored there. 

The enemy knew that the Temple's destruction would devastate the people. They were attempting to destroy God Himself.. and for a while it seemed to Israel that they had succeeded. "We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, nor is there any among us who knows how long. How long, O God, will the adversary revile, and the enemy spurn Thy name forever?"

Yet, in the midst of his despair, the psalmist chooses to believe.. "Yet God is my king from of old.. "  He remembers the greatness of the God he serves.  The God who divided the sea.. the God who brought water from a rock.. the God who gives food to the "creatures in the wilderness".. who opens His hand and provides for every creature. "Thine is the day. Thine also is the night; Thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Thou hast established all the boundaries of the earth; Thou hast made summer and winter." 

God has not changed. He rules the day.. where we walk in faith.. in light.. when all is going well and we are feeling blessed and happy.  But, He also rules the night.. when we are hurting, afraid, discouraged, or feeling like the psalmist, "Do not forget the life of Thine afflicted forever."  

As the song goes.. when we cannot see His hand.. we can still trust His heart.  O Praise the God who never changes.. who will not forget us forever.. but who loves us with an everlasting love.

Father in heaven, we proclaim that You are our King and our God forever. There is no other god.. for You alone rule heaven above and the earth below!  You are the Almighty God who rules forever. Even when we cannot see You. .we know You have it all under control.   Like the psalmist, we sometimes feel that the wicked are winning and they have banished You.. but that is a lie from the adversary!  You Live and You give life to all who will call upon the Name that is above all names.  So, we praise the Name of Jesus Christ who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who is seated at the right hand of the Father and who is coming back to get us one day soon! Thank You for reminding us once again, through Your Word, that You have the final say on everything !  Hallelujah. Amen!