1 O God, why have you rejected us so long?
Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture?
2 Remember that we are the people you chose long ago,
the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession!
And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth.
3 Walk through the awful ruins of the city;
see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.
4 There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries;
there they set up their battle standards.
5 They swung their axes
like woodcutters in a forest.
6 With axes and picks,
they smashed the carved paneling.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground.
They defiled the place that bears your name.
8 Then they thought, “Let’s destroy everything!”
So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped. NLT
Look at the opening words of this psalm. Does God mind if we start our prayers like this? Why or why not?
In verse 1, explain the "sheep" and "pasture" analogy. How does that enhance the frustration the writer of this psalm is feeling?
What does the writer want the Lord to "remember" in verse 2? Why would these three things be important?
What is shocking about the contrast between verse 2 and verses 3-8?
::::: APPLICATION CHALLENGE :::::
How could a modern follower of God relate to these verses today?
::::: EQUIPPING CHALLENGE :::::
Why do you think God allows things like this happen?
Related articles
