This morning I am reading from Psalm 79 which is a Psalm asking God to pay back the nations that destroyed Jerusalem, and it is an interesting thing to think about in light of the revelation of Christ Jesus. Here are the verses - Psalm 79:1-13 NIV:
[1] "O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
[2] They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
[3] They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.
[4] We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.
[5] How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
[6] Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;
[7] for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.
[8] Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.
[9] Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.
[10] Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
[11] May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
[12] Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
[13] Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise."
The first thing that comes to mind, is wondering if this would fit in line with Arminianism, or more Calvinism? I think clearly Calvinism, as that view would see those, that are the focus of the called down judgment, as the unsaved. I have done a fair bit of reading and thinking about these two approaches and I find my heart just doesn't believe this line of thinking (Calvinism). I believe the Lord died for all men (John 3:16-17), and that salvation is available to any and all that would turn to Jesus, from every nation and people (Matt 28:19-20), regardless of how they have treat the Jews or Christians (in light of this particular Psalm). I believe we are called to love our enemies (Matt 5:44), to call down blessing upon them, and to pray for them. I struggle with a loving God, one who is creator of each and every one of the men and women on earth, condemning any of them to eternal judgment, from the moment of their conception. I believe we have free will to choose and each person has the opportunity to choose, however that option is presented. I will stop there as that conversation can go on and on.
Yesterday, I was reading from 1 Peter and he was talking about the need to be a witness, regardless of the circumstances, and that we should, "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." ( 1 Peter 2:17 NIV) At the time he wrote those verses, Nero was the Emperor, and the church had been persecuted and was going back into heavy persecution, and yet his encouragement was to be true witnesses to God in the midst of that, even to honoring a pagan emperor, rather than calling down judgment on him.
The ministry of Jesus, which represents the truth of the Father's heart, was not one to condemn or call down judgment or condemnation. He spoke of the final judgment, and the reasons people would be judged and surprisingly, it had nothing to do with nationality. (For more on this see Matt 25:31-46)
These verses from Aspah are written under the Old Covenant of the Law, which was based on the revelation of the Jews being the chosen people and nation of God. They were those to whom the Law was given, and they were in relationship with God primarily as the God of their nation! There were those who experienced this relationship differently, like the Prophets, David, and some of the psalmists, but in general the people understood they were a people and nation, set-apart by God. With the words of Jesus in Matt 28:1-20 and the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit to Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10, it is clear that the salvation bought by Jesus is available to those outside the Jewish nation, even gentiles, and the revelation of personal salvation, regardless of national affinity, is brought to light fully. We had seen glimpses of this in Jesus' ministry, but it was now fully recognized and embraced.
That being said, it seems to me that prayers like those in Psalm 79 are not really valid to pray anymore towards a people group or nation, as the revelation of the nation of chosen people has been expanded to include all nations possibly! Peter again writes, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV) Since all nations are welcomed into the Body of Christ, if they so choose, we should be praying for mercy, compassion, and grace to come upon every nation that they might experience and receive salvation.
One questions whether the mind-set that the Church (the Body of Believers) now replaces the nation of Israel in verses such as these, so that we can pray this kind of prayer towards non-Christians, especially those that persecute us? Again, I find the teaching of Jesus quite at odds with this mindset, for the reasons mentioned above, for non-Christians are all potentially our future brothers and sisters.
If we need to pray against our enemies, then we should focus on the real enemy, satan and his fallen co-hort. Paul makes it quite clear who our enemy is in letter to the Church of Ephesus. Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
In summary, I am encouraged to pray blessing, mercy, compassion and grace upon all who have yet to experience salvation! I am encouraged to pray for the Church, for my brothers and sisters all across the earth, regardless of their nationality, for we are all in the same family! I am encouraged to embrace the forgiveness and salvation available in Christ Jesus, choosing to represent His love to all. Finally, if I need to pray condemnation against an enemy, I will do so against the enemies of the faith in the spiritual realm, not against flesh and blood, for Jesus died for all men, and if He paid that price for them, who am I to call down condemnation?
Lord, I pray that Your Word and Love would so penetrate my life that those I meet would meet You! I pray that I might be a witness to You in word, deed and even in my thoughts! I pray that my legacy would be one of salvations, kindness, love and honor.
Amen and Amen!
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