Week 9: Psalm 74

Psalm 74

As we read this psalm, I can't help but think of the recent revival at Asbury University over the last couple weeks. I am somewhat familiar with and partial to this sweet Christian university because it is my husband's alma mater, and he was privy to the 2006 revival. Over the last couple weeks, I saw many people posting about this incredible phenomenon of Gen Z students worshiping for days on end. Miraculous healings were taking place. People were content to sit with the Lord and just be with His people. 

In this week's psalm, we read through the frustrations of one who has had enough of the people around him being irreverent and indifferent to God. He has seen that the people are content to go their own way, regardless of the consequences. 

This psalm is marked as a “psalm of Asaph.” Asaph was a Levite, meaning he was someone marked by God to lead others in worship and to ensure that people honored the Lord through the various means of worship in the temple. He opens the psalm with a question— “O God, why do you cast us off forever?” He then implores the Lord to remember all that He has done for His people in the past and tells Him of the transgressions of His foes. 

So often, we look at the world around us, and we beg God to do something to fix it. 

Lord, look at the awful state of our country.

Lord, look at these leaders who were supposed to love You but have fallen so far.

Lord, look at these people who were supposed to be my friends who now speak against me.

Lord, look at my family members who mock me for following You. 

Here's what this week's psalm and the Asbury revival have in common—the humility of a heart that is surrendered to Him alone. 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 says:

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. (emphasis mine)

Do you see when God will heal the land? Not when all the sinners and lost people come home to Him. No, He will heal our land when we, His people, recognize our sin and come to Him, begging for mercy and asking Him to do something new within our hearts. 

Sister, let's stop pointing fingers and hoping everyone else around us will “get it together.” Let's remember that revival starts within our hearts. Revival begins when we admit our need for the Savior and stop trying to do everything on our own. 

As you reflect on this week's psalm, remember that His grace is sufficient, and His love is mighty—He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine if we merely submit ourselves to His ways and listen to His heart. 

-Jessica