Daily Bible Devotionals

“God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.  How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? -  Selah” Psalm 82:1-2 (NKJV)

In Hebrew, the word “El” means “might, strength, power.”  “El” (upper case E) in Scripture refers to God, while “el” (lower case e) refers to a pagan god.  The word “el” also describes humans who God has endowed with might, strength, or power.  While there is more to say on the subject, in simple terms, the word “elohim” is a plural of “el.”  It literally translates as “many gods.”  When speaking of God, “Elohim” states that He is more powerful than all false gods put together.  Referring to humans (the Judges of Old Testament fame, for instance), God calls the religious leaders “elohim.”  This means that those religious and political leaders were a collection of men whom He endowed with might, strength, and power to accomplish His purposes.

The reason I mention this is that today’s psalm is a plea for justice, specifically, that “El” (God) would judge the “elohim” (judges) for judging unjustly!  I know it’s a bit of a tongue twister, but Jesus quotes today’s psalm in John 10.  So, we must understand the context of Psalm 82 if we want to know what Jesus was communicating at the temple on Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication).

“The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said, “You are gods”?  If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.’ Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.”  John 10:33-39 (NKJV)

By quoting today’s psalm, Jesus was telling those religious leaders (whom had asked Him to tell them plainly if He was the Messiah) that it was their (the elohim, “judges”) job to judge if He was Messiah.  Furthermore, Jesus’ quoting of the psalm was an indictment on their inability to judge whether He was Messiah even though His works so plainly proved His Messianic role.  Context is key.

“Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.  Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.  They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable.  I said, “You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.  But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” Psalm 82:6-8 (NKJV)

Only Elohim could judge that Jesus was El (Messiah)! (Jn 1:1-2; 14, Luke 20:42-43)

“Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations.” Psalm 82:8 (NKJV)

“Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.  Raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute.  Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day.  For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob.  This He established in Joseph as a testimony, when He went throughout the land of Egypt, where I heard a language I did not understand.  I removed his shoulder from the burden; his hands were freed from the baskets.  You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. – Selah”  Psalm 81:1-7 (NKJV)

In Psalm 80, Asaph asked God to restore Israel, the vineyard of His making.  Today’s psalm is a call for Israel to repent.  The imagery Asaph uses is of the Passover seder; the ordered retelling, not only of the Passover, but God’s provision and preservation of Israel as they were in the desert.  He mentions “Meribah,” which, in Hebrew, means “tempted/quarrels/contention” because the people quarreled with Moses & Aaron (and amongst themselves) instead of faithfully following the Lord.  Meribah (aka Massah) is the name given to a place where twice God made water flow from a rock to miraculously provide for His people amid otherwise impossible circumstances.  In the first instance, Moses was commanded to strike the rock with his rod, symbolic of the ways of God.  The idea was that if Israel would surrender themselves to God’s ways, they would find living water in the desert.  And that is the theme of today’s psalm.  Hence, the mention.  

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel.  Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.’ And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’” Exodus 17:5-7 (NKJV)

In the second instance of the rock at Meribah, Moses was commanded to speak to the rock, symbolic of the power of God’s Word apart from Moses’ direct involvement.  Moses sinned by disobeying God and striking the rock again with his rod.  The effect was that water gushed forth, but God was belittled in the eyes of the Israelites, while Moses’ supposed power was elevated in their eyes.  It communicated that the power of God resided in Moses, exclusively.  In reality, the power resided in Messiah all along.  Messiah followed Israel around the desert.  (1 Corinthians 10:1-7)

“Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.  Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.’ This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the Lord, and He was hallowed among them.” Numbers 20:11-13 (NKJV)

“You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it. You prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with its shadow, and the mighty cedars with its boughs. She sent out her boughs to the Sea, and her branches to the River.” Psalm 80:8-11 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm is a prayer for Israel’s restoration, but it is not necessarily a prayer of repentance.  In subtle terms, Asaph hints at the fact that Israel is being punished for its national sin of idolatry, but the overall tone is a plea that God would cut short His punishment and that the prayers of the people are falling on deaf ears.  Rest assured that God will not rebuke His people one second too soon or one second too long.  He, and He alone, has the wisdom to know “when and how much.”  Three times, Asaph acknowledges that repentance may be the responsibility of the people, but restoration is solely in God’s court!

“Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” Psalm 80:3 (NKJV)

Halfway through Psalm 80, we see the familiar imagery of a vineyard.  Asaph likens the Promised Land of Canaan to a vineyard and Israel as the vine.  And it reminds us of the words of Jesus, who likened Himself to the “True Vine.”  (John 15:1-8)

“Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; look down from heaven and see, and visit this vine and the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, and the branch that You made strong for Yourself. It is burned with fire, it is cut down; they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. Then we will not turn back from You; revive us, and we will call upon Your name.” Psalm 80:14-18 (NKJV)

“Then He began to speak to them in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, “They will respect my son.”  But those vinedressers said among themselves, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.”  So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?”  Mark 12:1-11 (NKJV)

“How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, and on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name. For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your Name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake!” Psalm 79:5-9 (NKJV)

Did you hear the story about the deacon’s wife who saw a church member walk into the cigar store?  Her husband said, “You should tell the pastor!”  “I can’t!” she cried, “I was in the cigar store when she walked in!”  That is how today’s psalm feels, with Asaph asking God to pour out His wrath on the unbelieving nations who have devoured Israel while, in the same breath, asking for deliverance and atonement for Israel’s sin!  It sounds somewhat hypocritical.  The truth is that Israel and Judah were punished for their idolatry, and God used Assyria and Babylon as the instruments of His wrath toward His own people.  While Nebuchadnezzar was not a believer at that time, God still called him His “servant” because, after all, God is Lord of all!

“And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him. So all nations shall serve him and his son and his son’s son, until the time of his land comes; and then many nations and great kings shall make him serve them. And it shall be, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and which will not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish,” says the Lord, “with the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.” Jeremiah 27:6-8 (NKJV).    

While the Bible says that love is not jealous (1 Corinthians 13:4), the type of jealousy it is describing is not righteous jealousy.  It is more akin to a man who gets jealous whenever he sees another man talking to his wife.  That is an unfounded, accusatory jealousy.  Show me a man who sees his wife in the arms of another man and does not get jealous; that is a man who does not love his wife.  In that sense, he would have a righteous reason for jealousy.  This is the case with God’s jealousy when His people prefer the enemy’s embrace over His steadfast love.  Yes, God must rebuke our sin, yet He makes a way of return for those who are truly repentant.

“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her?  Wouldn’t such a land become totally defiled?  But you!  You have played the prostitute with many partners—can you return to Me?  This is the Lord’s declaration.”  Jeremiah 3:1 (HCSB)

“Go, proclaim these words to the north, and say: ‘Return, unfaithful Israel. This is the Lord’s declaration.  I will not look on you with anger, for I am unfailing in My love.  This is the Lord’s declaration.  I will not be angry forever.  Only acknowledge your guilt—you have rebelled against the Lord your God.’”  Jeremiah 3:12-13a (HCSB)

“Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.” Psalm 78:1-8 (NKJV)

The Hebrew word that is translated as “law” in most Bibles is “Torah.”  What is interesting about the word Torah is that it does not translate as “law” in Hebrew.  Torah, in Hebrew means “teaching/instructing.” Typically, Bible scholars call the first five books of the Old Testament the “Torah” (although, in a greater sense, ALL of Scripture is God’s Torah/instruction) because the first five books contain the Mosaic law.  But you and I know those books contain so much more than simply the laws of do’s and don’ts.  There are stories of patriarchs and matriarchs, God-fearers and pagans who hate God.  To simply boil the Old Testament down to a system of rules is to be ignorant of the purpose of God’s instruction.  The apostle Paul understood the great value of the Old Testament “Torah” to believers in the New Testament church.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)

When we replace the word “law” with “instruction/teaching,” today’s psalm takes on a different context for us.  Asaph is reminding his hearers that the prosperity of God’s people depends upon them knowing God’s “teaching/instruction” and imparting that to the next generation.  In fact, on the day the Torah was given, it came with instructions for how God’s people should pursue His Word day-to-day.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

When we remember God’s faithfulness, as articulated in His Word (the Bible), we are more inclined to faithfully trust Him in our generation. When we are warned of the consequences of unfaithfulness in the Bible, we learn to stay away from those same sinful scenarios.  Likewise, our children learn His Torah as they watch our faithful example: faith, building upon faith, from generation to generation.

“And I said, ‘This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.’ I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds. Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. – Selah”  Psalm 77:10-15 (NKJV)

Psalm 77 begins with anguish, a desperate cry from an overwhelmed spirit.  Trouble, self-searching, and questions about the uncertainty of God’s deliverance rule the first half of the psalm.  It reminds me of prayers I have sent up in guarded hope that help was on the way—equal parts trust and uncertainty.  

“Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” Psalm 77:7-9 (NKJV)

But, all of a sudden, the mood changes from hopelessness to faithfulness.  What happened to leverage such a turnaround?  Remembrance!  Asaph remembered God’s past faithfulness, His mighty works from His Word.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

Our faith comes from remembering God’s faithfulness, as articulated in the Bible.  That remembrance encourages us to trust His Word regarding His faithfulness for our future!  As we meditate on God’s Word, we are more inclined to talk about His faithfulness to encourage others who are struggling.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear…” 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

When we seek God’s Word, apply it to our lives, and teach it to others, the next generation will be more inclined to follow God.  Perhaps the most impactful history of God’s faithfulness that someone needs experience is how He transformed you!

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra 7:10 (NKJV)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Psalm 76. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near: ‘When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly. The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved; I set up its pillars firmly.’ – Selah”  Psalm 75:1-3 (NKJV)

Every major league baseball player is capable of hitting a home run, but very few do with predictable regularity.  In actuality, major league players strike out 20-30% of the time.  Can you imagine any other industry where an employee fails at ¼ of their project attempts and remains employed, much less earns a multi-million dollar salary? So, if all major league players are capable of home runs, what is the difference between a strike-out, a base hit, and a homer?  TIMING....split-second timing.  

God always has perfect timing.  He only hits home runs.  But so often, we feel like He is striking out when it comes to our lives.  Somehow, we accuse Him of swinging and missing because we are not receiving the deliverance we hope for within the expected time frame.  Other times, we know He has home run power, yet it feels like He lets the perfect pitches fly past into the catcher’s mitt.  Asaph, in today’s psalm, is telling us that God’s timing is perfect.  He chooses the perfect time to judge.  And He chooses the perfect time to deliver.  The apostle Peter gives us some insight into why God does not swing at every prayer request we throw across His home plate.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

There is another familiar image we find in today’s passage: a cup.

“For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is fully mixed, and He pours it out; surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth drain and drink down. But I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. ‘All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.’” Psalm 75:6-10 (NKJV)

When we read of this cup, we should be reminded of two cups in the New Testament, both referred to in the same chapter of Matthew.  The first cup is found in Matthew 26:27-29, the "Cup of Redemption" in the Passover meal, which represents God’s deliverance.  Jesus redeemed us with His blood.  The second cup is the "Cup of Wrath," akin to today’s psalm: God’s redemption follows retribution.

“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.’” Matthew 26:39  (NKJV)

“Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary. Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; they set up their banners for signs. They seem like men who lift up axes among the thick trees. And now they break down its carved work, all at once, with axes and hammers. They have set fire to Your sanctuary; they have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground. They said in their hearts, ‘Let us destroy them altogether.’ They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land. We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet; nor is there any among us who knows how long. O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand?” Psalm 74:3-11a (NKJV)

Today’s psalm, a song of Asaph, is titled “A Plea For Relief From Oppression.”  There are several fellows named “Asaph” in the Bible, and it is possible that the title “Asaph” simply refers to an order of temple musicians established by Asaph.  

While it is considered a plea, Psalm 74 stops short of being a full-on indictment of God’s character.  Multiple times, the psalmist asks God, “Why?” and pleads with God to remember to act as if God is slow or somehow unaware of the happenings in Jerusalem.  And what is happening in Jerusalem?  The temple had been defiled and burned to the ground, along with all of the synagogues.  Whether Asaph is writing prophetically or from a first-hand account is unclear.  But we know this event did happen when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem in Jeremiah’s day.

“And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month (which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. He burned the house of the Lord and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire. And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.” 2 King 25:8-10 (NKJV)

Asaph wrongly charged that there were no prophets, but they had Jeremiah. Sadly, nobody wanted to hear him.  The temple was destroyed because the people rejected God’s Word in favor of idolatry.  Still, God extended grace and mercy in captivity.  

“For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NKJV) (see also: Jeremiah 25:11)