Prayer in The Midst of Disaster

Psalms 79:1–13
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

The Jews of the psalmist’s day had become apostate, yet at the same time, they adopted a superstitious attitude toward the temple. They imagined that since it was God’s house it could not be destroyed and therefore Jerusalem was off limits to the invader. However it was destroyed. Many commentators say this is the eighth of a dozen of the psalms written by Asaph. It is a cry of anguish and despair. Some say it was written at the time of the Babylonian invasion, when not only the temple had been burned, but Jerusalem itself was destroyed and the Jew deported into exile. It is also a time for earnest prayer and can be divided into two sections:

Why the Psalmist Prayed (vv. 1-4).

1. Because of the desecration of the Sanctuary (v. 1) - Not only have the heathen entered the land, but they have profaned the sanctuary and defiled the Temple by breaking into it and seized its treasures and ornaments. Finally they set fire to it (Jer. 52:13).
2. Because of the decimation of the Saints (vv. 2,3) - “The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls.” The fact that God’s servants were tragedy enough but that their bodies remained unburied was even worse.
3. Because of the defamation of the scornful (v. 4) - “We are become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.” The testimony of Israel had been completely taken from them. It is so easy for us to loose our testimony.

What the Psalmist Prayed (vv. 5-12).

1. For the Lord to hurry (v.5) - to have fellowship restored when sin comes in.
2. For the Lord to heed (vv. 6-8) - with mercy toward our weakness and wickedness.
3. For the Lord to help (vv. 9-12) - through His name, nearness and nature.

Application

God promises his faithfulness to me through chastisement as well as love.