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Getting Back at Our True Enemy “Seven Times”
(Psalm 79)
Andy Nagahara
A. Everyone is suffering (1-7)
A psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead. We are objects of reproach to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us. (1-4)
B. Imagining the world post coronavirus (8,9)
How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name; for they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his homeland. (5-7)
C. Triumphing over the source of our current disaster (10-13)
Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants. May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die. Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord. Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. (8-13)
Summary
Some politicians declare war “against the coronavirus” while pointing fingers at other countries and blaming them for the spread of the virus. Our true enemy is not the coronavirus nor is it any other country. Everyone around the world, especially the weak, is suffering. Blame is not helpful or constructive. The psalmist asked God to avenge him seven times, but Jesus taught us to forgive seventy times seven. Jesus knew that our true enemy is not any other country or person, but the sin that is in each of our hearts.
For Discussion
- Why do we have the tendency to blame others for our current disaster?
- What should we seek from God instead of sevenfold vengeance?