Ephesians 5:1-14; Psalm 74

Ephesians 5:1-14
If you will recall, chapter 4 ended with Paul's advice to not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way we live. We are to get rid of all kinds of evil behavior--inside and out--and to be kind and forgiving toward one another just as God has forgiven us. Chapter 5 follows right along with these words, "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." Now that's quite an assignment right there! "Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ." After all He sacrificed Himself for us. We should try to have a self-sacrificing love for others as well.

v. 3 begins another list of sins to avoid. Of course, it doesn't list every sin that could ever happen, but it gives us an idea of the kind of behavior God expects of us. Avoid these:

• sexual immorality
• obscene stories
• foolish talk
• coarse jokes
• greed
• idol worship (putting something or someone before God)

These kinds of behavior and talk do not reflect the character of God. Instead, we are to be thankful. In fact, true thankfulness acts as a kind of oil to smooth over the rough attitudes that can cause us to fall short of God's standard. Now that we have light from the Lord, we should live as people of light v. 8
"For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true." v. 9

Psalm 74
This is another psalm of Asaph, the musician, or perhaps one of his descendants. It is believed to have been written after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. God had allowed this as judgment on Israel because of their persistent sin and rebellion. The enemy had devastated and burned the city, trying to stomp out every trace of God. v. 8 These enemies would certainly not be the last who try to wipe out any and all references to God. We have seen such attempts in the 20th century (Hitler, Communism, etc.) and even up to the present. It may be possible to remove references to God in public life, but no one can remove Him from the hearts of believers!

Asaph was discouraged as he prayed urgently to the Lord. So how did he overcome his discouragement? He remembered who God is, "You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth." v. 12 Then he remembered what God had done in the past, vv. 13-17. This is a good practice. We should meditate regularly on the kind of God we have with all His powerful attributes, His wisdom and love, and we should recall with thanksgiving all that He has done for us.

Then he (Asaph) went back to praying earnestly for God to defend them. "Don't let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name." v. 21