Lent 3 - Midweek
Text: Psalm 74
Our psalm this evening was originally prayed in the aftermath of the temple of Jerusalem being destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.
The Psalmist began by inviting God to come and see the destruction of His sanctuary as it was written, “Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary!” (Psalm 74:3)
Of course, this wasn’t the only time the temple of God was destroyed; it occurred again around 70 A.D.
In one sense, in battle, if you attempt to destroy a person’s faith, you may be able to destroy them.
Of course, you may look around today and like to think the world has progressed beyond such horror. Still, even in the past year, Christian churches have been destroyed by military might in Myanmar (or Burma) because Christianity is not the faith of those leading the military coup.
In such instances, can you blame a person for praying and asking God to come and see the ruins? Can you blame one for lamenting and calling out to God to remember them as the events make it appear He is nowhere to be found?
I mean, it’s not the people’s sanctuary that was destroyed; it was God’s.
In reality, it’s also not the name of the people being reviled by the pillagers; it’s God’s name.
The enemies, these are God’s enemies, those who revile Him.
But also, while the Psalmist today has experienced this great destruction and horror, his lament and prayer are done to hand things over to God, placing his needs and the needs of the Church into the Lord’s care.
We call this trust. We call it faith.
The third portion of the Psalm begins with this theme as the Psalmist writes,
“Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.” (Psalm 74:12)
These words are so wonderful that even amid destruction, the Psalmist confesses his unwavering faith that God continues to work salvation through these dark days.
This is why he hands the church’s needs over to God. He trusts that God will intervene to work salvation in the midst of His creation.
The challenge here is that we humans do not possess patience. The salvation God brings to His Church on earth would not occur in the Psalmist’s lifetime. Instead, this destruction of the temple in Jerusalem is foreshadowing another destruction, the death of God’s very own Son, Jesus.
At the beginning of John’s gospel, Jesus now foretells His death as He drives out the money changers, traders, and those conducting everyday business from His Father’s temple. He told those gathered there, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” (John 2:16)
But the Jews now challenge Jesus to show them evidence that He is the Son of God. They said to Jesus,
“What sign do you show us for doing these things?” but Jesus responds, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:18-19)
Of course, the Jews do not understand or grasp these words of Jesus, that He is speaking of His body. But this is what occurred at the incarnation of Jesus, God took on human flesh and began dwelling or tabernacling among us. In a very literal sense, God pitched His tent and began to live among man, among us – to redeem us and bring salvation to His Father’s Church.
The Psalmist’s prayer for God to come and visit the perpetual ruins of His creation is realized in Jesus. Remember these words of the Psalmist, “Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary! (Psalm 74:3)
In a way, as Jesus hung upon the cross, that first Good Friday, it appeared that the great enemies of God had destroyed everything, even the temple of the Lord, now realized in the flesh of Jesus.
What did the disciples of Jesus do as He hung and died? They scattered and abandoned Him.
Isn’t that what we do when calamities come to us? When destruction comes to the church?
Maybe it’s a fire or vandalism. Perhaps a dreadful day will arise when governments rise and come to destroy this building down to its foundation. Or worse, what if the devil sowed seeds of distrust among us, tearing us apart from the inside out?
What would today’s Psalm lead us to do in such sad and dreadful situations?
Place your laments in the hands of God and remember that this is not our church, but it is God’s. It’s His.
No, we do not understand why various trials are permitted to occur. Still, in all of the tribulations of the Church, they are opportunities to grow in faith, and this is a great joy for you and me because, like the disciples of Jesus, we know how the story ends. Jesus did not only die, but He rose again, and as He ascended to His Father’s right hand, He said, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
And how is Jesus with us now?
In His Word as it is read, preached, and proclaimed. He is at the font of Holy Baptism as our lives are joined to His, and here at this altar, we receive His flesh and blood to forgive all our sins.
The Church today is the gathering of God’s children and saints around Word and Sacrament – gathered around Jesus.
My friends, if destruction and calamity should come to us as a church or gathering of God’s children, let us cling to Him, remembering that those who assault us are truly assaulting God. So let us learn to pray and entrust the needs of God’s Church to Him because our salvation is already secured in Jesus! +INJ+
