Psalm 83 begins with a prayer that probably feels familiar to anyone who has waited for God to act.
“O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!” (Psalm 83:1, ESV)
Asaph looks around and sees enemies everywhere. God’s people are surrounded by nations that want to destroy them. The situation is serious. Yet God seems silent.
That can be a difficult place to live.
It is one thing to face a problem when God seems to be moving. It is another thing when the enemy appears active and God appears quiet.
But God’s silence does not mean God’s absence.
Asaph describes the enemy’s plan: “They say, ‘Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!’” (Psalm 83:4, ESV)
These weren’t minor disagreements. Israel’s enemies wanted them gone. They had joined together with one purpose—to destroy God’s people.
Asaph does something important. He doesn’t panic. He doesn’t develop his own plan for revenge. He takes the problem to God.
Then he remembers. He recalls how God defeated Israel’s enemies in the past. Gideon defeated Midian. Sisera and Jabin were destroyed. God had already demonstrated that He was able to protect His people.
Remembering God’s past faithfulness is one of the best ways to deal with today’s fear. God has a track record. The circumstances may change, but God doesn’t.
Asaph asks God to act powerfully:“O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.” (Psalm 83:13, ESV)
Those are strong words. Asaph wants God to defeat the enemies surrounding Israel. But notice something deeper about his prayer. His ultimate desire isn’t simply their destruction. He wants them to recognize God.
“Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD.” (Psalm 83:16, ESV)
That changes the focus. The goal isn’t merely winning. The goal is that people know who God is.
Psalm 83 ends there: “that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18, ESV)
That’s the real point of the chapter. God alone is God. Enemies aren’t in control. Governments aren’t in control. Circumstances aren’t in control. And despite how things may appear, God’s silence doesn’t mean He has surrendered His authority.
There will be times when it seems like everything is moving in the wrong direction. Opposition may grow. Problems may pile up. God may even seem quiet.
Psalm 83 gives a simple response.
- Pray.
- Remember what God has done.
- Trust who God is.
- And recognize that the ultimate goal is bigger than getting through the problem. It is that God’s name would be known.
- God doesn’t need help being God.
He asks His people to trust Him while He is.
Portions of this blog post are based on the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“
“Scripture (bold and italicized) is from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”
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