Introduction:
Asaph was a Levite who led the choirs during the days of King David. 1Chro 16:37. In the book of Psalms, we have 12 Psalms that are attributed to him. (Psa 50, 73 – 83). We are not aware of the exact time when Aspah wrote Psalm 74. Some Bible scholars believe that there is a possibility that someone wrote it for Asaph, so that a choir in his name could sing. In spite of the obscurity in connection with the historical background, the contents are very much relevant for the time we now are in.
          Here we see the prayers of a godly man for His people. He begins and concludes with a petition. cf. vs 1, 2a, 22, 23a. In between these prayers he refers to the reasons for such an appeal and the truths that encourage him to trust the Lord in prayer. Thus we can notice three main sections in this Psalm.
          (a) The Agony of a Godly Man: His Pain
          (b) The Appeal of a Godly Man: His Prayer
          (c) The Assurance of a Godly Man: His Ponderings
I. The Agony of a Godly Man: His Pain.
We see here that Asaph was worried and troubled over the poor condition of Jerusalem. He refers to three specific things that caused distress in his heart.
a God’s house was under attack. vs. 3 - 6
The enemy attacked their temple and the city of Jerusalem. Prayer halls – synagogues – were burnt down. Banners referring to God and His people were replaced with those of the enemy. The Psalmist was anguished over the sad, terrible state of the house of God—the sanctuary - the place where God dwelt and used to meet them.
          Today, we know the church is the temple of God. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1Cori 3:16. Don’t we see a similar Satanic attack against the local assemblies today? Yes, the Lord said, “gates of hades will never prevail”. This means that satanic forces will try their best to destroy and deform the Lord’s assembly.
Notice what the enemy did according to Psa. 74:
          v. 3b ‘damaged everything in the sanctuary’.
          v. 4b. ‘Set up their banners for signs’. Cf. v.9a ‘we do not see any signs’
The enemies not just destroyed everything in the temple; they replaced the banners that signified the Jewish ownership of the temple with their own banners. Both these incidents can be noticed among the people of God even today. There is an overall spiritual deterioration and declension. Apart from that, the enemy is trying his best to destroy the distinguishing features of the people of God. The wicked one has successfully set up his signs and banners among the saints! Without any hesitation, many gladly imitate the world, thinking that to be progress and modernity.
          Remember how Daniel and his friends responded to such efforts. Cf. Dan 1:7ff. They did not object to the name change, but strongly withstood against the change of food, style of worship, etc. They were even willing to pay the price for their commitment to protect their identity and devotion. Dan 3:17, 18
          v. 6. ‘They breakdown its curved works’
Another vicious work of the enemy was the removal of the works of art that gave beauty and splendor to the temple. These works of art were the work of skilled men in the past. The enemy destroyed them at once.
Today we can notice exactly the same: the work of the great men of God in the past that gave beauty and shape to the local assemblies is being broken down. The distinctive marks of the people of God, their unique lifestyle, pattern of ministry, name and shape - are all being disappeared. Like the godly psalmist, are we troubled seeing such a state of affairs? Are we concerned about the degeneration that is taking place in the house of God? Are we concerned about the local assemblies everywhere? 2Co 11:28
  Why is it so serious?
          Why should we feel pained in such circumstances? Cf.vs. 2, 7, 18
          Asaph makes it very clear. When God’s house is defiled and destroyed, it’s God’s name that is defiled and blasphemed. Remember, failure of God’s people is not just a loss to the saints, but a defeat and shame for God’s name, for they are His sheep and inheritance.
          Yes, the Psalmist understood the value and the greatness of the house of God. So, he is disturbed and pained and at the attack of the enemy.
b. God’s people are ignorant. v. 9b
Another reason for his worry is that there is no prophet to communicate God’s word for that time. There could be somebody, but the Psalmist finds none. So the general condition of God’s people is ignorance and indifference. More

NTK

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Out line:-

DIVINE OPENINGS

1. Opened heart – to receive Christ. Act 16:14
2. Opened scripture – to reveal Christ. Luke 24:32
3. Opened understanding – to learn Christ. Luke 24: 45
4. Opened heavens – to receive the righteous. Act 7: 56

  

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Anecdote: -

God Answers Prayer

       An officer in World War I gave this account of God’s miraculous protection in their battlefield. A German machine gun crew had their gun trained on an angle of their trenches where troops frequently passed back and forth, and the casualties were many.
       As a last resort volunteers were called to storm the German gun in the open. Fifteen men volunteered. They were well aware of the danger involved. The young officer appointed to lead them, addressed the volunteers as follows: “Men, I am a Christian. Before every undertaking I pray, those of you who are willing, kneel with me and pray about this one.”
       Then he uncovered his head and kneelt down and prayed, asking God to spare their lives, but if any must go that their souls might be saved. When he arose from his knees he noted that every one of them had knelt with uncovered head.
       Then they went over the top and raced for the machine gun nest amid a hail of lead and steel. They overcame the gun crew, tore up the gun and took it with them as they ran back to their trenches – not a man missing or seriously wounded.

Source: Gospel Herald

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study: -

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" Mark 7:16

According to the gospel writers, the Lord Jesus, at least on six occasions, used this form of speech, “he who has ears let him hear”. Cf. Matt 11:15; 13:9, 43 etc. Later, the Lord used this similar proverbial expression even in His glorified state, while giving the messages to the seven local churches in Asia Minor through Apostle John from the island of Patmos in all of those letters. Rev 2: 7, 11, 17, etc.
       What does this recurring phrase signify? A careful study of the context in which the Lord uttered these words reveals many truths relevant for even today. Here are five things that are noteworthy:
1. Indispensability of Christ’s message.
The Lord Jesus is revealing something very important, and this is evident even during a casual reading of similar passages in the gospels. He is declaring certain spiritual truths that are fundamental and revolutionary, which no one should miss. Let me just summarize the major themes of these passages for your quick consideration: More

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Worthy Quotes:-