In Psalms chapter seventy-nine Asaph asked, “How long, LORD? will you be angry for ever? shall your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out your wrath upon the heathen that have not known you, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your name. For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place”, and in chapter seventy-nine and verse eight of Psalms Asaph said, “remember not against us former iniquities”, where we read,
O remember not against us former iniquities:
let your tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
The verse begins, “O remember not against us former iniquities:” Asaph began with the words, “O remember not against us” or “O do not call to mind, be reminded or make record in opposition to us, Asaph and the people of Israel” “former iniquities” which means “previous, past and old time faults, depravities, guilts, mischiefs and sins”. Asaph appealed to Jehovah God not to recall his and the people of Israel's past depravities and wrongs.
The verse goes on to say, “let your tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.” Asaph continued with the words, “let your tender mercies” or “allow and permit your, Jehovah God's, compassionate and pitiful cherishing” “speedily prevent us” which means “hastily, suddenly and quickly get, meet and confront us, Asaph and the people of Israel”: “for we are brought” or “because, since and on account that we, Asaph and the people of Israel, were hung down, languished, distressed and laid” “very low” which means “extremely, greatly and exceedingly emptied, impoverished and oppressed”. Asaph beckoned Jehovah God to allow His compassionate pity to go before him and the people of Israel because they were extremely impoverished and oppressed.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Asaph wanted Jehovah God to be involved in his life and the lives of the people of Israel. They had been overrun by foreigners, and now they were in distress. Asaph wanted God to forget their past errors and wrongs and to allow His compassionate “mercy” to come upon them. God loves people, and when they suffer, He is always aware. He knew everyone needed a “Savior” because they were sinners and separated from Him. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and show His compassionate “mercy” toward us so we can live with Him forever.
Next time Asaph says, “help us, O God of our salvation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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