Psalm 89:40-41

Psalm 89:40-41

Hatred of God's people

The evidence was abundant. As had happened before and since, Jerusalem was in ruins because of marauding foreign invaders. Since David’s day right up to the time this Psalm was written, numerous Canaanite nations had tried it, the Assyrians had surrounded the city but miraculously withdrawn, now an invading army had succeeded in razing Jerusalem to the ground. The walls were broken down and in ruins, and many had broken through and plundered what had been David’s stronghold. It’s interesting to note that Ethan the Ezrahite makes his plea personal, in his mind it is David’s walls that have been ruined and it is David’s riches that have been plundered. 

When dark experiences take us deep into despair, it is impossible to see a way through or to believe that restoration will ever take place. For Ethan this was the end, he could not foresee any kind of redemption for David’s city. In his mind therefore, it could only mean that God had broken His covenant promises and that there was no future for the Holy City or its people. 

We know, of course, that Jerusalem was restored but then razed to the ground yet again by the Romans. We know that it has been restored once again in our day but there are still hostile forces willing its destruction. I have read a long article, even within the last hour, on the BBC News pages, about the hatred that spills over at the Israeli border with Lebanon and how Iran’s proxy – Hezbollah, have vowed to kill the Israelis and take over their land. The ancient hostilities remain, many are driven to detest the Jews and to plot and scheme for their downfall. The world it seems never changes, why is that? It’s because the Satan never changes, he will never rest until all who believe in the living God and who are covered by the terms of His eternal covenants are exterminated. The hatred is both earthly and heavenly, it is directed at the Jews but also at born again believers. That is why this world is not our home! 

 

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