Psalm 73 & 74: The Sanctuary Of God
Verse of the Day: (73:17) Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
1. The Sanctuary Of God (73:1-25)
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. (73:23)
God not only spoke to King David in writing most of the book of Psalm, He also inspired Asaph, the musician and prophet to write portions of Psalm. (2 Chronicles 29:30) Asaph cried out to God for the seemingly injustice of this world as many wicked prospered and even died peacefully of old age, while many righteous suffered for His sake, and died in persecution. As a result of God’s seemingly passive response, the wicked are emboldened to continue in committing evil deeds. However, God is not mocked, as one day, the wicked will reap the consequences of their sins, and even if not on earth, it will be in fiery hell. Only when Asaph went to God’s sanctuary to study and meditate on His Word, did he understand His way in judging the wicked. Indeed, God loves the world, that He sent Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, to die and shed His precious blood on the cruel cross for the sins of the whole world. On the third day, Jesus arose from the grave, and is now the Minister of the heavenly sanctuary at the right hand of His Father’s throne, interceding for all who believe in Him in the new covenant of love and grace. (Hebrews 8)
2. The Strength Of God (73:26-28)
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (73:26)
Asaph thanked God for strengthening and encouraging him amid his weaknesses and infirmities, so that he could continue to do His works, sing for Him, and praise and declare all His works in saving souls from fiery hell to pearly heaven. Let us trust and obey God, and He shall strengthen and increase our faith now and forever. (Romans 5:6-8)
3. The Salvation Of God (74:1-23)
For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. (74:12)
Though Asaph knew that God shall eventually judge the wicked, yet he still lamented that His sanctuary and synagogues were destroyed time and again. He prayed that God’s judgement be swift so that His name shall be glorified instead of being blasphemed. Asaph loved God knowing that He was working in the hearts of the people that they would all come to know His saving grace. He believed that the same God, who delivered Israel from the Egyptians by dividing the Red sea so that they could cross it dry, and fed them with manna and even waters from the rocks while they were in the wilderness, was able to save and sustain all who believed and trusted in Him. Let us thus believe in and receive Christ as our personal Saviour as now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I understand Your way when I am in Your sanctuary.
