Psalm 74:11

Psalm 74:11

Why no action?

As we have commented before, the right hand of God symbolises power, authority and also salvation. It is the hand of action and leadership. The one who stands at the right hand is raised up in status, to “sit at the right hand” speaks of equal status! Thus, Jesus was raised up and sat down at the right hand of God. 

When Asaph longs for God to act he asks, “Why do You hold back Your hand, Your right hand?”

Our psalm writer then gets a bit cheeky! He doesn’t just ask for God to act in power, he accuses the Lord of hiding His hand in the folds of His garment! In other words, God is resting His hand, He’s not even ready for action. 

There are those who believe that we have no right to ask anything of God, that we must simply trust and obey, and take the consequences. God works to a divinely appointed plan, therefore we must accept all that happens without complaint and believe that “all things work together for good.” There is certainly some mileage in such a view, our griping is not going to change anything. Having said that, aren’t we supposed to be in relationship with this incredible heavenly, spiritual Being? Is He not our Father? Yes, we must act meekly and walk humbly but are we not entitled to ask a few questions? Is that not the point of prayer, to beg and implore and to seek the Lord and His will? So, what is the best way to pray, with honest pleadings from the heart or submissive equanimity? Think on.

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