Psalm 74
This Psalm was apparently written after God had allowed enemies to destroy Jerusalem including the Temple where God's people worshiped. Asaph is heartbroken. He looks around and sees the utter destruction (vv. 1-8). What he does not see is the way in which God is working. (vv. 9-23) He doesn't see the miraculous signs of the past, and all the prophets who delivered God's messages are gone. Yet, this does not mean that God is not working even during this time of judgment.
What can we learn from a Psalm like this? When we see trouble around us, whether it be personal or in our communities or in our country or even in our world, we must not forget that God is in control. He may be bringing judgment, and don't forget that "innocent" people often suffer for the sins of others as well as for their own. Also, like Asaph, we should continue to pray and trust God, remembering his mighty power.
Luke 9:1-17
Jesus sent out His disciples telling them to take nothing with them. They were to trust God for their daily needs just as we should. Sometimes it may seem that we have all we need, but actually the material things of this world could be gone in an instant, and so it's important to remember that we too depend on God for our daily needs.
Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the 5000--actually many more because v. 14 tells us there were 5000 men and there were certainly women and children as well. The disciples obeyed His instructions, and He allowed them to be a part of this wondrous event. What a blessing to the people and to the disciples! They started with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish--they fed all the people--and had 12 baskets of leftovers!
These lessons should remind us that God is able and willing to supply our needs, and so we should resist doubt and fear and trust Him to do what He does!
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