Rev. 8:6-13; Psalm 44

Rev. 8:6-13
We are going on with the vision of the future which John saw. This part deals with the first half of the Tribulation, and these verses cover the first 4 of the trumpet judgments.
1.  v. 7  Destruction on the earth.
2. vv. 8-9  Destruction on the seas
3. vv. 10-11  Destruction of fresh water. "Bitter" literally means undrinkable.
4. vv. 12-13  Destruction of the heavens. We know it's a very serious matter when the heavenly bodies are affected! Our planet is totally dependent on the sun for one thing, and such a disturbance will be devastating.

"Woe! Woe! Woe!" from the eagle is a warning of the next 3 trumpet judgments.

Psalm 44
This psalm was written after Israel suffered a defeat at the hands of her enemies. In the first 8 verses, the psalmist remembers past victories that the Lord has given. It is always a good practice to look back and remember what God has done.

In vv. 9-22, he talks to God about his present circumstances. I guess you could say he is telling God what He already knows. But this is what we are supposed to do. Instead of complaining to everyone around us, we should take our troubles to the Lord--even when they are self-inflicted.

Then in the final verses, we hear the psalmist pleading with God for help and deliverance. He ends with "Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love."  Though he did not really feel God's presence at this time, he still believed and trusted and remembered God's unfailing love. We must remember that people of Bible times were human just as we are. We shouldn't think that we are first to feel neglected by God. However, His promises do not depend on how we FEEL. He has promised his unfailing love, and He will hear and answer our prayers.