August 27 | Psalm 83:1-4, 13-18

---

DAILY READING

Psalm 83:1-4, 13-18

---

REFLECTION

Talk To Me!

by Elaine Pierce

The Psalmist is begging God to talk to him. Do you ever feel this way? You are listening, and God is silent, or so it seems? The writing of Psalm 83 is attributed to Asaph, one of three Levites commissioned by King David to be in charge of singing in the house of Yahweh. This psalm points out to God that his enemies - God's enemies - are out to get his people, the nation of Israel. So this is a corporate plea for help. Our country is in trouble! You need to save us, Lord!

Asaph points out that God destroyed Israel's nations in the past, and he asks for the same outcome for the current enemies. What do you think, dear readers? Is God aware Israel is surrounded by nations who want to harm them? Of course God knows that. Perhaps the most important thing we can take away from a psalm like this is to remember that God is sovereign, he loves his people, and in the end, he will win. Our part in all of us is to sit at his feet, to praise his name, and to remember that he has a plan and a purpose for us individually and as a church community and as a nation and a people.

One day God's enemies will truly be like the tumbleweed that Asaph describes in verses 13 - 16: "Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name, O Lord."

We've seen the horrific destruction of fire in Maui these last few days. We know that in just moments lives can be irrevocably changed by natural disasters, by enemies that want us defeated, or by our own sin and pride. But in the end, all who call on God will be saved. And one day, every tongue will declare that he alone is the Most High over all the earth.

PRAYER

Lord, sometimes it seems that you are silent, and we want to hear your voice. Help us to call on you and trust you, even when we don't get immediate answers. Help us to remember that you love us, you forgive us, and you long to bless us. One day every knee shall bow and everyone will call you Lord. What a glorious day that will be! Amen.