April 21
________________________________________ O GOD, DO NOT KEEP SILENT
O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;
Those who hate you have raised their heads.3 They lay crafty plans against your people;
They consult together against your treasured ones.
4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
Let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”5 For they conspire with one accord;
Against you they make a covenant—6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites,7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;8 Asshur also has joined them;
They are the strong arm of the children of Lot. – Psalm 83:1-8
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The ESV study bible says that this is a community lament, responding to a situation in which God’s people are threatened by Gentile enemies who aim to destroy them. The psalmist, Asaph asks that God will make these enemies fail miserably, be put to shame and perish so that they might come to know the Lord. The Gentile coalition and their evil crafty plans in verse 4 tells us they want to annihilate God’s people so their names will never be remembered anymore. Facing such danger, the people urge God not to be silent.
It is interesting that during this time in history, the people of God ask God to move into action against the Gentile alliance who wants to crush the Israelites. This probably shows how much they know their God and exhibits dependence on him. Their confidence stems in knowing their God will do everything to rescue them. Do we have this kind of dependence on our Lord? Do we reflect on his character and his promises?
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ADORATION: Lord, I praise your steadfast love and surrender to your strength.
CONFESSION: Do not keep silent and allow evil to win over the enemy’s plot to destroy your people.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your promise to be with us always in every situation.
SUPPLICATION: May the Lord’s will prevail especially in transitions from major changes in our lives.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop confidence in depending on God? What must we give up?