Scripture Reading : Psalm 74
Theme : Arise, O God, Defend Your Cause
- Lament Over the Destruction (1–9). Psalms 74-77 are about Israel and the world in the end times. Asaph is a prophet during David’s time (2 Chron. 29:30). The temple of God was never destroyed during his time. He was envisioning a time when the temple will be destroyed and God’s people exiled. This is applicable to the Babylonian exile and exile after A.D. 70, but it is most applicable to the end times. There will be a temple in the end times (Rev. 11:1-2; Dan. 9:27). Asaph asked God to remember His people and His temple because Israel’s enemy will devastate both.
- Appeal for Help (10–17). Asaph appealed to God for help on the basis that He was the creator and ruler of the world. He knew God was powerful and can crush His enemies instantly if He wanted to. So he begged God to do so.
- Regard for the Covenant (18–23). He also begged God to destroy His enemies on the basis of God’s covenant with Israel. God said He would never forsake Israel and will rule the world from Israel/zion. So he begged God to act for His honor by keeping His word.
Praying the Scripture
The psalmist’s prayer is based on right theology. He hopes, longs for God to act so that He would restore the world right now by destroying God’s enemies and restore His people. As Christians we also ought to long for the return of Christ to restore this world, destroy God’s enemies and save His people (Rev. 6:10). But we also need to prepare for His delay (Matt. 25:5). Do not act wickedly or foolishly (Matt. 24:48-51). Or doubt His coming (2 Pet. 3:4). But prepare for His delay by continuing to have faith and live out that faith through obedience and evangelizing unbelievers. God will surely act for the honor of His name by judging His enemies, restore His people and the world. Jesus is coming. Be sure of it and be in awe.
经文：诗篇74
主题：神啊，求你起来为自己申诉
- 因毁灭哀号（1-9）。诗篇74至77与末日的以色列和世界有关。亚萨是大卫时代的一名先知（代下29:30）。神的殿在他的时代是没被摧毁的。他是在预想圣殿被毁，以及神的民被放逐的时候。这适用于巴比伦的放逐与公元后70年的放逐，但最恰当的是末日的时候。末日期间将有圣殿的存在（启11:1-2；但9:27）。亚萨求纪念祂的民，因为敌人将销毁祂的民以及祂的圣所。
- 求神帮助（10-17）。亚萨向神求助，因为祂是世界的创造主和统治者。他晓得神的大能；若神愿意，祂即刻便能粉碎祂的敌人。因此，他求神如此行。
- 顾念所立的约（18-23）。他也凭着神与以色列的约求神消灭祂的仇敌。神曾说祂是不会丢弃以色列的，并要从锡安治理世界。因此，他求神遵守诺言，从而为自己的名行事。
用经文祷告
诗人的祷告是基于正确的神学观。他盼望，也渴望神行动，叫祂即刻消灭敌人并复兴祂的子民，从而复兴这世界。身为基督徒，我们也当向往基督归来复兴这世界，消灭神的仇敌并拯救祂的子民（启6:10）。但我们也要预备祂的延迟（太25:5）。不要行恶或愚昧的事（太24:48-51），也不要质疑祂的归来（彼后3:4）。我们要继续持有信心，并借着顺服神的话，向非信徒传福音活出信心，从而预备他迟归。神必然要因祂的名行事，审判祂的敌人并复兴祂的子民及世界。耶稣要来了。这是肯定的！
