Commentaries:
Psalm 78 recounts Israel's constant disobedience to God. Never satisfied with what God gave them, Israel always pushed Him to see how much they could satisfy their own desires! Could we be doing the same thing when we pray? Is our focus always toward God's purpose and the welfare of others?
Just like Christ, we have the same kind of power in our grasp every time we come before God's throne in prayer! Do we use it to satisfy ourselves or to further the purpose of God? Most likely we will not find true contentment until we use the power we have in absolute service to others.
Mark Schindler
Serving Through Prayer
Psalm 78 gives a clear and concise history of Israel's relationship with God. The psalmist illustrates four steps that led to their rebellion:
1. They forgot God's goodness (verse 11).
2. They tested God by insisting that He satisfy their lusts (verses 18-19).
3. They played moral hide-and-seek with God, which is hypocrisy; they served Him only when they discovered for the moment they could not escape Him (verses 35-37).
4. Finally, they substituted idols for God at the center of their lives (verses 57-58).
Israel never got the true picture. Because they were walking by sight, and not by faith, they were so impressed with what they saw that they limited God's ability to create His heart and mind in them (verse 41).
John W. Ritenbaugh
Preparing for the Feast
E-mail this page
