Psalms 75 – 77

Verse 75:4 shows a theme which is scattered throughout the Bible:

“I discipline the arrogant by telling them, ‘No more bragging.’
    I discipline the wicked by saying, ‘Do not raise your horn to demonstrate your power.

Why is this? Think about it arrogant braggarts eventually want more glory than God. They want the glory for what was achieved and not God. Sure life may seem like we did this or that, but in all honesty God needed to be given credit for all. Satan wanted this credit and has created an environment where you’re considered a freak to give God credit and not consume it yourself.

Verse 76:12 shows what God does with this spirit:

He squashes the arrogant spirit of the rulers
    and inspires fear in the hearts of the kings of the earth.

God wants us to know He is in control, we may be in charge of our little spot in this world but ultimate control is in God’s hands. The little things that make the big things possible were orchestrated by God. I know this will open the “then why do bad things happen to good people” question. Again this is a long discussion on free will, which I addressed a few thoughts back. God is not some praise crazed dictator, He just wants credit to be where credit is due.

Verse 77:9 is a time in Israel when they are not being blessed as they were before:

Has the True God forgotten how to be gracious?
    In His anger, has He withdrawn His compassion?”

Has God forgotten you? How many times have I felt this? The Psalmist was David’s “music director” so I can only assume it was during the times after Bathsheba or when He did not listen to God’s orders totally. Either way it’s not that God has abandoned us, but rather we need to go deeper.

People often call this “winter” in their seasons where God seems distant. It may be punishment for wrongs done, or it may be giving us the opportunity to go deeper into exploring God. Often “winter” is when God is with us, but whispering rather than making it obvious or yelling.