PSALM 79.

     WHERE IS THEIR GOD?.

   In verse ten of this psalm we read the phrase, "Wherefore should the 
heathen say, 'Where is their God?'. Let Him be known among the heathen in our 
sight by the revenging of the blood of Thy servants which is shed." What a 
question. "Where is their God?. There is however a pathos in the eager desire 
of this psalm, that God should glorify Himself among the heathen. One of the 
most trying experiences any believer can have is when unbelievers mock and 
say, "We don't believe there is a God!. If you believe there is one, then 
prove it! Where is your God?"
   The psalm was probably composed during the captivity of Babylon. In verse 
one we are told "The heathen are come into Thine inheritance, Thy holy temple 
have they defiled, they have laid Jerusalem on heaps." The earliest 
historical experience we can relate to this language is when Israel were 
taken into captivity. They suffered the taunts of the heathen to sing their 
songs. I am at a loss to understand the present day argument of some, that 
the music of the heathen is a good vehicle for the propagation of the 
Christian Faith. Bible Faith needs Bible music to express it. When these 
people of God were taken into captivity, they were requested by the 
Babylonians to sing on of their songs. It is recorded that they hung up their 
harps, for they had no song to sing in Babylon.
   Many Believers realise the truth of the fact that coming events cast their 
shadow. In the study of prophecy it becomes plain that prophetic utterances 
can be "shadow fulfilled", and men are deceived by that shadow fulfilment. We 
must however bear in mind that there will be a full fulfilment of every 
prophecy given in God's Word. It is difficult to determine presicely what is 
indicated by this wonderful psalm. There was the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar 
which devastated God's People. The heathen had come into the Lord's 
inheritance. Then, later in Jewish history, there was the persecution of 
Antiochus Epiphanes. Later still there was the utter ruin of Jerusalem by the 
Romans. Verse one of the psalm "The heathen have come into Thine inheritance" 
describes the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar; "Thy holy temple have they defiled 
could well be applicable to the acts of Antiochus Epiphanes, and "They have 
laid Jerusalem on heaps" is applicable to the utter desolation or ruin of 
Jerusalem by the Romans. It was all in the future - coming, when this psalm 
was composed. Asaph was a seer. There was no invasion of Judah during his 
time. The psalm was prophetic - it was all coming when the time was ripe. 
Here is Asaph, looking forward and seeing what would happen in the future..
   Looking around this world today, the desolation indicates that evil is 
very active. Some of the things we see happening would astonish our grand 
parents. We are on the verge of a great fulfilment of Bible Prophecy. God 
will demonstrate Himself until people will see, know, and acknowledge that 
there is a living God.. There is a golden theme in all the prophetic 
utterances which tell of the return of Christ to this earth. That day will 
come, and then the heathen will no longer ask, "Where is their God?".
   In this psalm there is an appeal for deliverance. Whatever happens, in any 
generation, in any land, revealing man's inhumanity to man, we can expect 
that God will honour His Name to His People. The appeal for deliverance is 
made on three grounds:-  The appeal is FIRST made on the grounds of THE 
SUFFERING OF THE PEOPLE. World wide, PRINCIPLES are bandied to and fro by 
politicians of all nations. The political argument, when it gets hot, bursts 
into flames of warfare and the military step in. But, every time, in every 
case, on both sides, it is THE PEOPLE who suffer. In the second verse of this 
psalm there is a description of a situation where they could not even bury 
their dead. It was a great dishonour, and a denial of religious duty, not to 
bury their dead. Today, every new conflagration brings new of the death of 
thousands. The people always suffer. BUT, God will not allow His people to 
suffer for no purpose. There are times when He does allow His people to 
suffer, but always for a purpose. Be sure of this however, He will deliver 
His people when the purpose is fulfilled. When it seems strange that God 
should allow a thing to happen, we must look for the PURPOSE. But we must 
always bear in mind that a purpose is not always a reason.
   The appeal is made SECONDLY on the grounds of the revelling of the enemy. 
The Idemeans, Philisrtines, Phoenicians, Ammonites, Moabites, all gloried in 
the subjugation of Israel. Their insults were mixed with blasphemies against 
Israel's God. In such a situation it is as well to remember:-
   1. When the enemy mocks be prepared for God to move.
   2. When God moves, the enemy will be devastated.
   3. Today, Israel's neighbours are paying for the past.
   The appeal is made THIRDLY on the grounds of God's Honour.
In verse five it says, "How long O Lord? Wilt Thou be angry for ever?. Shall 
Thy people burn like fire?" WE have to be careful with the word JEALOUSY when 
it refers to God. It is not the human emotion withy which we are so well 
acquainted. We are jealous when someone has more than we have. That cannot be 
applied to God Almighty, for obvious reasons. Often this word jealousy is 
rendered ZEAL in the Scriptures. It literally means, God's determination to 
vindicate the Honour of His Name. The prophet cries, "How long will your ZEAL 
burn like a fire?"
   There is a Scripture which says, "At the Name of Jesus every knee shall 
bow." There will come a day when ALL will acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son 
of God. Then will all the nations know that there is a God. Today, people of 
different religions put Jesus Christ among their prophets. Christ has the 
preeminence. He alone is the image of the Living God. He is God's Only 
Begotten Son. One day we shall be able to say, as we bow the knee, "THERE IS 
OUR GOD!"
   When Christian Believers come into the family of God through faith in 
Jesus Christ, they come under His Name. He will not give His Glory to 
another. He will always maintain the honour of His Name - Emmanuel, God with 
us. Generation after generation and into eternity, He will continue King of 
Kings, and Lord of Lords.


Copyright (c) 1996, Hedley Palmer. All rights reserved.




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