In Psalm 78, Asaph recounts the cautionary tale of his own ancestors: the Israelites. Though they witnessed the Lord's power in the plagues against Egypt (v. 42-52), though they saw the Lord split the Red Sea in two so they could escape the Egyptians (v. 12-13), though they saw the presence of the Lord with them in fire and smoke (v.14), though they saw him split open rocks and produce water for them in the desert (v. 15-16), though they covenanted with God to keep his commands (v. 5-8), they still rebelled against God. When they were on the brink of the Promised Land, they turned back and refused to enter the land as God had commanded (v. 9). When they were in the desert, they "tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved" (v. 17-20). He disciplined them (v. 21-31), but they still sinned and would not believe (v. 32). They made idols for themselves (v. 58), and God let the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized his presence, be removed from their midst (v. 59-61).
Lord, there are so many lessons for us to learn from this psalm. First, just because things are going well for us doesn't mean we deserve it. We see that you accomplished so much for the Israelites, and they respond with rebellion after rebellion. You weren't helping them because they were good and deserved it, but because you loved them and were gracious to them. When we see your good work in our lives, let us not assume this is an affirmation that we are good and deserving people. Instead, let your goodness move us to gratitude; let it move us to praise your goodness, and not self-righteously praise ourselves for being good.
Second, we see that when the Israelites face hard circumstances, they think it an opportunity to test you. When you provide water, they complain that you haven't provided food. When you provide bread, they complain that you haven't provided meat. Instead, Lord, when we face hard circumstances, let us approach it as a test for ourselves. Let us have confidence that you will provide (as you've proven over and over and over again), and the only thing in question is if we will trust you. Help this perspective, this confidence in you and this awareness of the test before us, inspire us to perseverance.
Third, we see that salvation always belongs to the Lord. The psalm is pretty depressing as it recounts repeated rebellion; but in the end we see a glimmer of hope. The Lord raises up a rescuer for his rebellious people: David, who will slay the giant, defeat the Philistines, regain the Ark of the Covenant, and lead the people back to God and back to worshiping him. This reminds us, Lord, of the gift you have provided us in Jesus Christ. He is our rescuer, who saves us from the Enemy, and even from ourselves, as Jesus leads us out of foolhardy rebellion, to the joy of obeying your commands and being in right fellowship with you. Thank you, God, for being our hero, and for bringing us back to you. We never would have made it on our own. Let us praise your name forever! Amen.
