Preparing for Eternity

Psalm 78c

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Psalm

Psalm 78:53-72

53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
55 He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
59 When God heard this , he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.
62 He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces , like the earth which he hath established for ever.
70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.


Outline

Our Shepherd Awakens
Psalm 78:52-72
By Pastor Clinton Macomber

God's Provision as a Shepherd

God guides His own people like sheep, Psalm 78:52
God leads safely so there was no cause for fear, Psalm 78:53
God leads to His chosen land, Psalm 78:54
God sets up the borders of inheritance, Psalm 78:55

God's Provocation as a Shepherd

We are forgetful, Psalm 78:56
We are disloyal, Psalm 78:57
We are idolaters, Psalm 78:58

God's Punishments as a Shepherd

God abhors the ungrateful sinner, Psalm 78:59
God forsakes the place and tools of pretentious worship, Psalm 78:60-61
God allows the sinners to go into captivity, Psalm 78:62-64

God's Participation as a Shepherd

God is suddenly called to action, Psalm 78:65
God brings a lasting disgrace to the enemies, Psalm 78:66
God chooses His own leaders, Psalm 78:67-71
God feeds and provides for His own, Psalm 78:72


Sermon

Our Shepherd Awakens
Psalm 78:52-72
By Pastor Clinton Macomber

This Psalm is about the power of prayer. The key verse is Psalm 78:60 where God is suddenly moved as if He were awakened. Now we know that God does not sleep. We also know that God does not suddenly stir as if roused from a stupor. The Psalm does not specifically state what caused God to suddenly move into action. But we know from many verses what brings such an action. God's people realized that their sin has placed them in their miserable conditions.

Human life is very resilient. We are able to endure an amazing amount of suffering, and still have the attitude that it is just life. Many generations pass and there is no endeavor to throw off the bonds of atheism, cruelty, and injustice. Finally, things get so bad, that people raise up a cry to God, begging for help and deliverance. As time goes by, they realize they must change their own ways, so that God can help them. It is at this point, usually years later, that God suddenly leaps into action.

God loves His people so much, He will do anything to see that they learn to be holy and trusting. I fear that the millennial kingdom of Christ is not going to be as easy as people want to think. It is described as a very harsh rule.

A holy government does not make people holy. The riddance of Satan does not make people holy. The overwhelming provisions of God for mankind does not make man holy. Wonderful exemplary leaders do not make a holy flock. Putting all these things together does not make a holy people. Satan is going to be able to gather together a huge multitude of people who think they can cast off the holy kingdom of our Lord by attacking it. Even after a thousand years of holy government, there will be a majority of people that resent and hate God. This is a bold statement about the depravity of mankind.

So how does God prepare leaders for this new kingdom? How does God prepare to clean up the world and redeem all things to Himself? As we continue this Psalm, we have a wonderful explanation of things from God's perspective. We have the inside scoop into why things are the way they are today, and simply why things cannot be changed.

Article I.God's Provision as a Shepherd

Section I.1God guides His own people like sheep

Psalm 78:52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” This is how God wants to work with us. He does not wish that we endure suffering or problems.

But how does a shepherd lead sheep in the Holy Land? There were two tools a shepherd always carried. One was a sling shot and the other is the ever present shepherd's staff. The staff is used to agitate the bushes that the sheep will soon pass. The shepherd uses this long stick to hit the bushes and bring out any snakes, or other animals that might by hiding in them, waiting to strike the lambs as they pass. The staff is then used to beat the harmful threat, and disable it from harming the sheep. The sling is used to disable dangers at a distance. If a wolf, or lion, or even a bear starts to eye the flock, the shepherd uses his sling to accurately send a rock to encourage the animal to seek prey elsewhere. His sling can also deter the sheep from straying from the rest of the flock. Only when the way is clear, does our shepherd lead us.

Section I.2God leads to His chosen land

Psalm 78:54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.

We live in a country that has many sanctuaries for all kinds of animals. These sanctuaries are designed and monitored to provide for the particular animal. Any enemies of that bird, rat, wolf, bear, etc. are treated viciously.

God brings us to His sanctuary. This is His territory that He alone controls. We are not subject to the harsh treatment of every hateful thing. The classic example is that of Abraham. Had he stayed in the city of Ur, he would have been subject to their laws and their enforcement of these arbitrary rules. By being led from that city, and made a wanderer, Abraham was free to roam and move about in a country where he was not subjected to heathen rules. This freedom enabled him to serve God with a clear conscience.

The same thing happened to the Israelites. The Egyptians proved to be cruel and possessive bosses. They passed horrible laws that brought the death of untold thousands of baby boys. They cruelly demanded quotas and taxes from the Israelites. They were abusive in every way they could think of in hopes of reducing the Israelite population. God freed them from these cruel tyrants. He took them out to the Saudi desert where they were not subject to the laws of some nation, and they could form their own laws, based on God's commands. This was not God's sanctuary, but it prepared them to later move into God's sanctuary and so know how to behave and act.

Section I.3God sets up the borders of inheritance

Psalm 78:55 He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

The amazing thing about God is His provision. The Israelites had to give up their homes and most of their possessions in order to follow God. As they wandered in the desert for 40 years, preparing to enter the land, they would have lost even more of the things they had once held dear. However, upon entering the land, they were given a land that had farms, cities, trade routes, stores and all sorts of commerce. The means whereby they attained this great economic system left it intact. The armies gathered together and marched against the advancing Israelites. The utter and complete defeat on the battlefield left the cities and farms intact. All that was left was for Israel to seek God for the way to distribute this land to the tribes.

God says that even the wicked serve a purpose in this world. We look at them and see no good. God abhors the wicked, but having provided life, uses them as tools to accomplish His purpose. Often it is to cause people to turn to righteousness to avoid the end of the wicked. At other times it is to provide the needs of the righteous. At other times it is to challenge the righteous to leave off godless habits.

Christ in this spirit, challenged the believer to love their enemies and do good to them that are rude and abusive. By benefiting them, we show our respect to God and His plan for us. By hating them, our hearts become hardened against the work God does in our lives.

Article I.God's Provocation as a Shepherd

Once we learn the wonderful provisions from God for His own people, we need to understand the frustrations that God faces in dealing with us. It is not always a joyous occasion to be God and to be able to provide wonderful things. There are hurdles to overcome in doing this.

Section I.1We are forgetful

Psalm 78:56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:

Instead of guarding the good things of God and bringing them to remembrance, we do things that make Him angry. We test His patience. We act as if God has no part in knowing our needs. This selfish introverted attitude is absolutely contrary to the work of the Holy Spirit that teaches us to glorify God and put Him first, so all our needs are met. God provides for the sparrows, has our hairs numbered, controls our height, and we think He does not know we are worried about our next drink of water, or the next bite of food. Our forgetfulness is a horrible sin against God.

Section I.2We are disloyal

Psalm 78:57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

The Lord made a very important statement about the spastic attitude and activity of humans.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

God does not change, and is completely reliable. He seeks to impart this part of His likeness upon us. We need to learn to commit ourselves to God and not allow anything to move us from that position. Running to and fro is harmful to us, and makes God's work more than it needs to be. God sends us out to do His will, but human characteristics which demonstrate our depravity, and an unwillingness to let go of our old sinful nature, keep us from staying on course. But like an unbalanced arrow, we go forth and leave the path God put us on, to go and cause harm elsewhere to ourselves and others.

Section I.3We are idolaters

Psalm 78:58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

The other major problem is that we tend to want to create idols out of everything. If something is new and shiny, it is an idol. If something is old or unusual, it is an idol. Or, we design an idol just to worship, much like the Indians build a totem pole and then bow before it.

When there is so much that God does for us, how can we so easily turn away from Him to serve things that can do nothing for us?

Article I.God's Punishments as a Shepherd

Because of the contrariness of our actions, God as a good shepherd has to discipline us, so that we can remain in his flock. These are presented next.

Section I.1God abhors the ungrateful sinner

Psalm 78:59 When God heard this , he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:

God is holy and cannot abide in the presence of sin. When He hears of our negligence and disrespect, He becomes angry and abhors His own people. If it were not for the shed blood of His own Son on their behalf, they would be destroyed, and rightfully so. So in order for God's people to continue to live, there has to be a change. Since God does not change, and His people are the ones breaking their promises, a very light example of God's anger is brought on the believer, to bring about correction.

Section I.2God forsakes the place and tools of pretentious worship

Psalm 78:60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; 61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.

Evidence of His displeasure is the abandoning of His established place of worship. It is heart breaking to realize that this country used to be peppered everywhere with churches where quiet men of God stood firm on the “old fashioned” gospel. People worked hard and knew what this country was all about. Then came the “industrial revolution.” Children no longer wanted to honor the god of their fathers, or remain on some old farm. They wanted the glamor of working as mindless cogs in some huge corporation that paid cash and offered incentives. They loved the free time they were given to play, and God was abandoned.

Now people feel that to be safe and happy they need to stay in their own homes. Everything they could want is delivered to their door. Food, supplies, repairs, furniture, etc. We do not even need to step outside to get water or relieve ourselves. Even so called entertainment is piped into one's room.

Yet this effectively disrupts the family and keeps us from being able to minister to others. It breaks society down, and keeps those who have an understanding and moral backbone from reaching people with the facts that could save this country and the lives of many people.

Disregard for God and His generosity brings captivity and needless suffering.

Section I.3God allows the sinners to go into captivity

Psalm 78:62 He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance. 63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. 64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.

This exact destruction has come to America and there is no lamentation over it. Our people are given to the sword in this country every day. The sword is military engagements as well as premature death. Consider the facts:

The next problem is the young men are consumed. There are few young men that can rise up and take over the responsibility of handling the jobs that are needed to sustain the family. This is the problem with Social Security. It is the problem with industry. What is the fire that has consumed them? The following are some thoughts.

Next it mentions that the young women go unmarried. Doesn't that describe America today. Women are too ready to jump into bed with anyone, and so marriage is a forgotten thing. There was a generation that was taught to try living together before marriage to see if it will work out. This philosophy has destroyed many a life. It has left many a woman, broken, abused and unwanted.

The priests die and no body misses them! Not even their widows miss them! This again describes the situation in America. Many a pastor or religious leader could disappear and few would care. Many a missionary languishes after a long career on foreign soil, only to come back and no one cares, and few will help them through their declining years. Even the woman that stood by her pastor husband all his life and ministry has no sorrow in his death. She did not love him for many years. His death was a final end to the miserable marriage that they had.

Our country is already suffering dearly from the anger of God. His wrath will only increase until we are willing to do something about it.

Article I.God's Participation as a Shepherd

Section I.1God is suddenly called to action

Psalm 78:65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

The Lord suddenly stirs into action, when His people repent and turn to Him for help and comfort. Instead of allowing things to happen to wake them up, He steps forward as a mighty man who has just had some fruit to eat. The warrior feels good and strong and is willing to go out and face anyone!

Section I.2God brings a lasting disgrace to the enemies

Psalm 78:66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

As the enemies run away, he strikes at them so they are perpetually marked by the fact they did evil and could not face up to defending their actions. There is also another thing they could do, and that is to repent and turn to God for forgiveness.

An example is seen in the Philistines. Eli's sons had taken the Ark of God from the Tabernacle and paraded it on the battlefield as a good luck charm. The thought was that if they could display the ark for the Israelite soldiers to see, the soldiers would be reminded that nothing could stand against God and His ark. It frightened the Philistines, but they went ahead and won the battle and stole the ark from the Israelites. God was angry at Israel for their disregard of His laws and provisions. He had to let them suffer and learn a lesson. It is not the ark that saves them, but God.

The Philistines put the ark in the temple of their idol. Yet each day, their idol was found fallen and broken. Yet instead of realizing their idol was worthless and worshiping God, they kept propping their broken image back up and sought to appease their idol. They even went so far as to make it a custom to never step on a threshold of a door, because this is where the hands were found severed from the image.

Finally, they move the ark to another town, where they all got hemorrhoids. Yet instead of turning to God and admitting their fault, they make images of the mice and hemorrhoids out of gold and put this on the altar. Then they put the ark on a cart with two new milk cows and watched as the cows ran to Israel. The Philistines would not admit they were wrong in worshiping their idol. They refused to accept the fact that the God of the Hebrews was the God of all things. Their persistence in their evil ways left a mark on them forever. They died in their sins and arrogance.

Section I.3God chooses His own leaders

Psalm 78:67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: 68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. 69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces , like the earth which he hath established for ever. 70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

Man has all kinds of ways to determine who should be the leader. Man has proven they can never pick the right person to lead. Every election is the same sad tale. The person who is elected is the very person who should not be in government.

God examines the heart. While Israel and Samuel thought Saul was the greatest and most fit young man to be the king, God was watching a little shepherd boy who was spending his time praying and thinking about that which is holy and true. While the world was busy praising the brave acts of a young king, God's chosen was fighting off a bear and a lion, to protect the sheep. While the great army of Israel was assembled in all their glorious battle gear, David was sent to carry food and supplies to his older, handsome, and mighty brothers. While the greatest in Israel, shuddered in their boots at the very sight of Goliath, the youngster went up against him with only a sling and a shepherd's stick. God had rejected the great families of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. He had rejected the chosen leaders of Jacob in Ephraim. Instead he went to the family of the fourth child of Leah, the despised wife, and found a young despised lad to be the next king. It was this young boy that God taught many things and made great. It was this young boy that God promised to make a permanent throne in Israel. It is this young boy that will sit again, in a sinless, glorified body, once again on the throne of Israel, and his reign will never end.

Section I.4God feeds and provides for His own

Psalm 78:72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

The Psalm ends with everything the way it should be. God is leading His sheep and preparing the way before them. They follow in calm assurance knowing that:

Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.


Topic Study


Quote

Three Treasures Of The Chest


In addition to the stone tablets of the law, Hebrews 9:4 links to the ark of the testimony a golden bowl of manna and Aaron's staff that budded. These objects remind us of the value God puts on His principles (Dt 28), on the persons who lead and speak in His behalf (Nm 16–17), and on His strategy of daily provision (Ex 16).

The history of Israel and the church is an ongoing illustration of these terms of God's presence. To accept or reject God's Word is to accept or reject Him (Ps 78:56–61; 1 Thes 4:1–8). To accept or reject those who speak for Him is to accept or reject Him (Mt 10:40–41). And to accept or reject His plan to lead and provide for us one day at a time is to accept or reject not only His hand but also God Himself (Ex 16:1–8).

Mart DeHaan and Jimmy DeYoung. “Temple of the Lost Ark.” Sidebar. Associates for Biblical Research, Bible and Spade Volume 7 (Associates for Biblical Research, 1994; 2004). 7:43.


Devotions

Monday, Psalm 78:52-55 and Ecclesiastes 8:1-3

There is a great many blessings in abiding close to God. Not only are the provisions good, but there is a solace in knowing that there is nothing to be ashamed of God finding. Human philosophy is to hang on to everything in life. Letting go of things, is hard for us to do, yet it is the key to life and happiness. Carrying around a great deal of stuff, keeps us away from God. Where is the junk that needs to be cleared from your life, so you can walk with God and not have to tend to wasteful practices?

Tuesday, Psalm 78:56-58 and Ecclesiastes 8:4-6

Going contrary to God is a foolish thing. No one in their right mind would ever disobey God, yet this is the common way of man. God in turn becomes angry at the lack of an effort to remember the important elements of His provision and the victories He brings. God's solution to forgetting is to keep records and to train children constantly in the ways of God. With the proper emphasis, there will be a constant reminder or God's blessings, and a means to not forget and so start griping.

Wednesday, Psalm 78:59-62 and Ecclesiastes 8:7-9

Good leadership is a tough thing. To be a good leader, one has to have a clear vision of what needs to be done, and a deep love of those that are led, to bring them to the place of accomplishment. This means good leaders will suffer dearly as they lead. God is the greatest leader, because He is the essence of proper leadership. It hurts Him dearly when His people rebel, because He loves His followers so much. He has to take dramatic action to bring His people to the place they will accept His leadership. We get a chance to feel the pain of leadership in the responsibilities He gives to us. Love is what brings discipline. Hatred is what ignores the problem and pretends nothing is wrong. When God disciplines us it is because He loves us. When we seemingly cannot get God to hear us, it is because we have blocked the way with our sinfulness. It is time to beg for forgiveness and to make restitution.

Thursday, Psalm 78:63-65 and Ecclesiastes 8:10-12

When a land is being judged by God, it is to awake the Godly to turn from their wickedness and live. The wicked are buried and forgotten. When justice is not swift and exacting, there is an evil that sets into the hearts of young people. This brings them to the grave. Yet, though the sinner sin ever so many times, God's people will be safe. They will learn to be obedient. They will rise again and return with God. The place of blessing and provision is with God.

Friday, Psalm 78:66-69 and Ecclesiastes 8:13-15

How long we live or who much we have is no gage of spirituality. Instead it is up to God and whom He chooses to love and train. God does not use the human methods of choosing people. Instead He looks at the heart. God gives us our days, and He provides our needs. We should enjoy His provisions and make the best use of them, by follow God and seeking to honor His will in our lives. Anything else is a sure manner of asking for punishment.

Saturday, Psalm 78:70-72 and Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

It is impossible for a person to understand the ways of God, no matter how much time he spends analyzing data. The way to understand God is to follow Him and accept Him gratefully. We are to love Him with all our heart. As we love and obey Him, we learn His wonderful ways, and we begin to see His great hand in the things that happen each day. Trying to understand God when we are blinded by the darkness of sin, will never work. It is only as we become more like God, that His word is able to be understood and our lives will change.


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ISRAEL

SHEEPFOLDS

AWAKED

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UNFAITHFULLY

GUIDED

PRIESTS

WROTH

HINDER

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INHERITANCE

SAFELY

INTEGRITY

SANCTUARY


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