How Long? And Why? Series

BIG IDEA:

WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE ARE BEING DISCIPLINED, THEY CRY OUT FOR THE ANSWERS TO 2 SEARCHING QUESTIONS:

HOW LONG? AND WHY?

I. (:1-7) WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE ARE BEING DISCIPLINED THEY ASK, "HOW LONG?"

vs. 5 "How long, O Lord? Wilt Thou be angry forever?"

A. (:1-3) The Extreme Severity of the Discipline

Raises Questions

1. Seen in its Extent: nothing remains sacred and protected; everything is defiled

a. Extends to the People of God

"the nations have invaded Thine inheritance"

b. Extends to the Temple of God

"They have defiled Thy holy temple"

c. Extends to the City of God

"They have laid Jerusalem in ruins"

2. Seen in its Humiliation: even in death there is no closure to the shame and desecration

a. dead bodies = "food for the birds of the heavens"

b. flesh = eaten by "the beasts of the earth"

c. blood = "poured out like water round about Jerusalem "

d. "there was no one to bury them"

B. (:4) The Compromised Testimony of the Discipline Raises Questions

1. "We have become a reproach to our neighbors"

2. "a scoffing and derision to those around us"

C. (:5) The First Searching Question: How Long?

The Long Duration of the Discipline Raises Questions

1. "Wilt Thou be angry forever?”

2. "Will Thy jealousy burn like fire?”

D. (:6-7) The Seeming Inequity of the Discipline Raises Questions

Shouldn’t God’s wrath fall instead on those that do not know God?

II. (:8-13) WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE ARE BEING DISCIPLINED THEY ASK, "WHY?"

vs. 10 "Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’"

A. (:8-9) Plea for Forgiveness and Deliverance

1. Shorten Your Memory

"Do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us"

2. Lengthen Your Compassion

"Let Thy compassion come quickly to meet us"

3. Glorify Your Name

"for the glory of Thy name"

"for Thy name’s sake"

B. (:10a) The Second Searching Question: Why?

vs. 10 "Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’"

C. (:10b-12) Plea for Vengeance

1. Based on the extreme suffering inflicted

shedding the blood of God’s servants

the groaning of the oppressed prisoners

those who are doomed to die

those who have suffered severe reproach

2. Based on the Greatness of God’s Power

3. Based on Glorifying God’s Name

D. (:13) Prospect of Praise

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) How bleak does the Lord allow the situation to get (especially in times of discipline) before He steps in and defends the reputation of Himself and His people?

2) How much serious attention do we give to the fact that our God is an extremely jealous God – jealous for our loyalty and obedience?

3) What type of appeals does the psalmist make here? What type of argumentation does he use? Do our prayers reflect thoughtful dialogue or just emotional cries?

4) What are all of the blessings associated with being God’s people and the “sheep of His pasture”?

Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format

(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)

from:

http://www.bibleoutlines.com