Psalm 78

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 78

From the Shepherd of Sheep to the Shepherd of Israel

35 Then they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer. 36 Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth, and they lied to Him with their tongue; 37 For their heart was not steadfast with Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant. 38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath; 39 For He remembered that they were but flesh, a breath that passes away and does not come again. . . .

56 Yet they tested and provoked the Most High God, and did not keep His testimonies, 57 But turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers; they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. 58 For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their carved images. 59 When God heard this, He was furious, and greatly abhorred Israel . . . .

65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty man who shouts because of wine. 66 And He beat back His enemies; He put them to a perpetual reproach. 67 Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, 68 But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved. 69 And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has established forever. 70 He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 From following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. 72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Psalm 78:35-39, 56-59 & 65-72, KJV

If you want to understand the true heart of man a little better, read Psalm 78.

We are prone to forget God even after living through miraculous events at His hand. Because of this God gives us the charge to teach our children about Him. Don't leave that teaching up to the church or Sunday school classes. That's a good start, but be sure that YOU teach them about the Bible, and then pray that you will live it before them. Don't worry if your knowledge of the Bible is small; just read it together as a family.

Our sin of rejecting God is a serious sin; one which God hates. However, even in His anger He never forgets His people. As the Psalmist recounts this sad history, he concludes with God's response of replacing the ungodly with a Godly ruler. David the shepherd of his father's flocks would now become the shepherd of Israel.

Pray today that you will take seriously the charge of training your family in the truths of the Bible, and will begin a plan of regular family Bible reading if you are not already doing so.

Next: Psalm 79 - Persecuted Christians

More Devotions on the 78th Psalm from my blog, Daily Bible Devotions.

A Parable, verses 1-4

Appointed Law, verses 5-8

They Forgot God, verses 9-11

Time to Remember, verses 12-16

Can God? verses 17-20

The Good and the Bad, verses 21-31

A Wind That Passes, verses 32-39

He, verses 40-55

Abhorred by God, verses 56-64

God Awoke, verses 65-66