Topic: When Wrath Provokes Praise [November 11, 2016]
Text: Psalm 76:1-12
Key Verse: “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain” (Psalm 76:10).
Bible scholars posit that the lines of Psalm 76 were penned to celebrate the awesome power God displayed to root the forces of the boastful King Sennacherib of Assyria when they invaded Judah (2 Kings 18:13-19; 19:34-37). The aggressors looked invincible after they laid siege on Judah. They recalled how they had won a chain of victories in previous campaigns against formidable foes.
The Assyrians held that if these great nations could fall before the might of their army, Judah would suffer the same fate. Their arrogance reached its peak when they blasphemed God and said He was powerless to save Jerusalem. Obviously, they were ignorant of how the defiant Pharaoh of Egypt and his forces met their watery-grave in a contest with the children of Israel. God rose to the occasion again in the battle between King Hezekiah’s Judah and blaspheming Assyrian Sennacherib. In one night, He proved His limitless superiority.
The Bible says: “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses”. The 76th Psalm praises God for the timely intervention for His people. But what does the Scripture teaches in verse 10 when it says: “…the wrath of man shall praise thee?” How can wrath bring praise to God? It simply means that hostility to God and His people gives Him an opportunity to do great deeds. When He acts to deliver His people, those who benefit from His salvation will respond with praises.
A faithful Christian who becomes overwhelmed with life’s battles should not panic. Instead, he should glorify God in songs of praise because God is fighting for him
Thought for the day: Be not afraid; the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 1-2
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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