Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Psalms 79 and 80 were written in the wake of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The temple had been destroyed, and many had been killed or taken into captivity in Babylon. It was a dark time in the history of the Israelites, to say the least.

The author of these psalms, Asaph, gives a pretty bleak description of what Jerusalem has experienced in the first few verses of Psalm 79:

Verse 1 - “They have defiled your holy Temple and made Jerusalem a heap of ruins.”

Verse 2 - “They have left the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of heaven.”

Verse 3 - “Blood has flowed like water all around Jerusalem.”

For those who somehow managed to survive and were now in captivity, I am sure there was a sense of hopelessness and despair. They had seen their whole way of life completely destroyed. I am sure so many questions were going through their minds: How long would this time in captivity last? Will I be able to return to my home? Will there be anything to return to?

As I was researching these psalms, I kept coming across the word “lament.” A lament is a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. He is in pain and pleading for help. But even in his lament, Asaph knew who to turn to. Asaph pleads with God to save them, to help them, to rescue them. We see it several times in these 2 Psalms. 

Psalm 79:9 - “Help us, O God of our salvation!”

Psalm 80:2 - “Show us your mighty power. Come to rescue us!

Psalm 80:19 - “Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.”

You and I may not be facing destruction and captivity, but we do face hard things in our lives: illness, divorce, death, and the list goes on and on. But just like Asaph, we know who we can cry out to when we face those things. 

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Psalm 46:1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” 

Whatever you’re facing, you can bring it all to God. All the fear, the hurt, the pain, and even the anger. He will listen, and He provides a refuge for us when we put our trust and faith in Him. It won’t always be easy, and your problems won’t magically disappear, but we can trust that God is in control of all of it. 

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:5-8

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

FALL AT VENTURE

KXP, MVMNT, The Gathering, House Church, and Care Groups are all starting back this fall! Check the Fall at Venture webpage for launch dates and events happening this fall at Venture.