O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. ² They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the air for food, the flesh of your faithful to the wild animals of the earth. ³ They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. ⁴ We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.⁵ How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealous wrath burn like fire? ⁶ Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name.  ⁸ Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors…” Psalm 79:1-8

Psalm 79 is a useful Psalm – because it teaches us that suffering can and should be seen from a perspective of faith as well as judgment. There are often harsh realities facing the people of G-d – but some branches of Christianity do not allow for this reality. Prosperity Theologians will tell you that if you are suffering, then you do not have a strong enough faith. But, we Lutherans, like the Psalmist can not lose faith or hope in the midst of adversity. Suffering of the faithful can not be seen as G-d’s weakness – or just as G-d’s judgment and punishment. Why? Well, all we need to do is remember the cross – a sign of humiliation and shame. The cross is our symbol of power and grace and the ultimate answer to the question “Where is G-d?” The answer is that G-d is both a G-d of power, and suffering – cross and resurrection. Through the death of Jesus on the cross, G-d dies – but is not defeated. From the tomb G-d rises to tell the world that even death is not stronger than G-d. Nothing can separate us from the love of G-d found in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave

“Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? ⁸ Has his steadfast love ceased forever? Are his promises at an end for all time? ⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”Selah¹⁰ And I say, “It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.” ¹¹ I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember your wonders of old. ¹² I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds. ¹³ Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God? ¹⁴ You are the God who works wonders; you have displayed your might among the peoples. ¹⁵ With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.” Psalm 77:7-15

Note the change in tone in this Psalm, from despair to hope in Psalm 77 in verses 10 – 12. The Psalmist goes from lamenting that G-d’s love has ceased to be known in his life, to praising the greatness of G-d. There obviously is the belief that, even though we will hit stretches in our lives where it seems as if G-d has forgotten about us, this ultimately is not true. What happens in our lives that changes our trust in G-d? Do we have emotional swings in our faith? Do we find that from day to day, or even from hour to hour, do we find that we move from despair to hope regularly?

Psalm 77 reminds us that we are people of memory but also of hope. Faith is no guarantee against the real possibility of despair, but even in the midst of despair, we will remember the words of that old hymn, that G-d that has been our help in ages past – and will continue to be our help, and our hope.

Pastor Dave