Gospel
Reading Plan: Matthew 11-13
The End Times: The
Lord’s Hand is Over Israel
Read Psalm 83
This psalm describes the plight of Israel since her
birth: people wish to destroy her. Many have said the words of verse 4, “Come,
let us wipe them out as a nation, that they be remembered no more.” Through
total destruction or abandonment and negligence, nations have pushed the Jews
away. Satan has, for millennia, tried to abolish the Jewish people, and yet
God’s hand remains firmly upon them.
The lament alludes to the Great Tribulation in the End
Times. The Jews are crying out for deliverance from the ten-nation
confederation that has risen up against them. Yet their prayer is a noble one:
“Fill their faces with shame, that they
may seek your name, O Lord.” (v 16). They pray that their enemies might
know the Lord. We can expect the world to become increasingly more hostile
towards the Jewish people. But we must stand firmly beside her, lifting her up
in prayer, asking God to turn the hearts of His people back to Him.
Overview
Verses 1-8: Enemies
of God who wish to destroy His people
Verses 9-18: Prayer
they would be defeated and turn to God
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1) If you have time this week, research
Jewish history a little bit and notice how often the Jewish people have been
neglected, massacred and pushed out. If you know any Jewish history off the top
of your head (ex. the Holocaust), reflect on that. Think about how God has
stood beside her all of that time, never allowing her complete destruction.
What does this teach us about God?
2) Who are the enemies in your life? Pray
for the situation you are in with them, but make your ultimate prayer that they
come to know the Lord. If that is difficult for you, tell God why it is so hard
and ask Him to soften your heart towards your enemies.
3)
Pray for the nation of Israel as things
continue to get hostile for her. Pray that God would protect the Jews and that
many would turn to Him for salvation, accepting Jesus as the Son of God. Pray
for wisdom for the Israeli leaders.
