Pastor Billington's Blog

Psalm 78:17-24 “Yet they still went on to sin against him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert. They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire. Yes, they spoke against God. They said, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people? Therefore the LORD heard, and was angry. A fire was kindled against Jacob, anger also went up against Israel, because they didn’t believe in God, and didn’t trust in his salvation. Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven. He rained down manna on them to eat, and gave them food from the sky.”

It sounds pathetic but natural, right? “I know you did that for me God, but I want you to do this!” God gave water, manna, and eventually meat, but it never seemed to be enough. They tempted God, and this happened:

Numbers 11:1-3 “The people were complaining in the ears of the LORD. When the LORD heard it, his anger burnt; and the LORD’s fire burnt amongst them, and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. The people cried to Moses; and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire abated. The name of that place was called Taberah, because the LORD’s fire burnt amongst them.”

Jesus shows us how we should behave instead:

Matthew 4:5-7 “Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,” and, “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.” ‘ Jesus said to him, ‘Again, it is written, “You shall not test the Lord, your God.” ‘ “

The moral of the story? Trust, not tempt. God may not do things in our time, or in our way. But He always does what is best.

For additional worship: Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman)

Psalm 78:9-16 “The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. They didn’t keep God’s covenant, and refused to walk in his law. They forgot his doings, his wondrous deeds that he had shown them. He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He split the sea, and caused them to pass through. He made the waters stand as a heap. In the daytime he also led them with a cloud, and all night with a light of fire. He split rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.”

Why should we trust God? Because He brought His people out of bondage in Egypt by performing mighty miracles and continued to provide for them in the desert. We shouldn’t be like the Ephraimites who forgot about God’s care and turned away! The event described here seems to refer to a specific time when the tribe turned back during their journey to the promised land, but it also brings to mind how they ultimately forsook God and their brothers when they became a separate nation.

For additional worship: Song of Moses (Aaron Keyes)

Psalm 78:1-8 “A contemplation by Asaph. Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done. For he established a covenant in Jacob, and appointed a teaching in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born; who should arise and tell their children, that they might set their hope in God, and not forget God’s deeds, but keep his commandments, and might not be as their fathers— a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal, whose spirit was not steadfast with God.”

Psalm 78 is not just history. It was written as a warning and a lesson. It shows how God chose His people, gave them His teaching, and instructed them to pass it on to their children. It isn’t just a record of their continued disobedience (take heed!), but it was written to show that God was faithful all the way. He both preserved and purged His children, and He still does today.

Hebrew 12:5-8 “You have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, ‘My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not children.”

For additional worship: Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Reawaken Hymns)

Psalm 77:16-20 “The waters saw you, God. The waters saw you, and they writhed. The depths also convulsed. The clouds poured out water. The skies resounded with thunder. Your arrows also flashed around. The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known. You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”

If we ever need a reminder of the fact that God is in control and that He cares for us, we only need to look back at the exodus from Egypt. He led His people through the Red Sea and provided leaders for them. His care for them points us to His care for us through Christ! The parting of the Red Sea and the salvation it provided prefigured the greater spiritual reality of God’s redemption of His people from slavery to sin through the work of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 “Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.”

For additional worship: Redeemed (Gaither Vocal Band)

Psalm 77:7-15 “Will the Lord reject us forever? Will he be favorable no more? Has his loving kindness vanished forever? Does his promise fail for generations? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?” Selah. Then I thought, “I will appeal to this: the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the LORD’s deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings. Your way, God, is in the sanctuary. What god is great like God? You are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known amongst the peoples. You have redeemed your people with your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.”

In the midst of distress (as a result of our own disobedience or not), we may cry out: “Where is the Lord? Where is His compassion?” That’s when we need to remember what He has done in the past for His people, what He has done through Jesus for our salvation, and what He does currently for us in our daily lives. One great way to get recentered is by attending corporate worship. “Your way, God, is in the sanctuary.” The word translated “sanctuary” can mean either “in holiness” or “in the holy place.” One refers to a location, the other to a way of living. In taking it to mean a place, we recognize that corporate worship with its praying, praising, and preaching helps us focus properly on God and His ways!

For additional worship: Jesus Never Fails (Arthur Luther)

Psalm 77:1-6 “For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by Asaph. My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help, and for him to listen to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired. My soul refused to be comforted. I remember God, and I groan. I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah. You hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I can’t speak. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I remember my song in the night. I consider in my own heart; my spirit diligently enquires:”

Have you ever been so distressed that you stayed up all night crying out to God? If so, you have something in common with Asaph! In truth, what else should we do? Unfortunately, we’re probably more likely to mull, rant, and despair than to turn it over to God. Next time you find your sleep troubled, try praying, reading, singing, and even praise. And, if you still find yourself distressed, keep trying. It’s a recipe for peace!

Philippians 4:6-7 “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”

For additional worship: Cry out to Jesus (Third Day)

Psalm 76:7-12 “At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight when you are angry? You pronounced judgement from heaven. The earth feared, and was silent, when God arose to judgement, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Selah. Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained. Make vows to the LORD your God, and fulfil them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared. He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is feared by the kings of the earth.”

Sure, this is about Israel. But it’s also about us! We boldly proclaim the victory God has given us over death, hell, and the grave, while looking forward to His ultimate victory during the final judgement at the end of the age! With the vindication of His people secured, it’s no wonder they (we) bring vows of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Revelation 19:11-16 “I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called ‘The Word of God.’ The armies which are in heaven, clothed in white, pure, fine linen, followed him on white horses. Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod.”

For additional worship: You Indeed Are Awesome (Jason Silver)

Psalm 76:1-6 “For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm by Asaph. A song. In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel. His tabernacle is also in Salem. His dwelling place in Zion. There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah. Glorious are you, and excellent, more than mountains of game. Valiant men lie plundered, they have slept their last sleep. None of the men of war can lift their hands. At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.”

These verses recognize that God is known among His people and majestic in battle!

Is God known among your people? Among your relatives? In your home? Do you make sure that you speak about the greatness of His name to your children and grandchildren? To your siblings and parents? Do you attend church to proclaim the glory and majesty of God, and to be a good example to those around you?

For additional worship:

God is known among his people,
every mouth his praises fill;
from of old he has established
his abode on Zion’s hill;
there he broke the sword and arrow,
bade the noise of war be still.

Excellent and glorious are you,
with your trophies from the fray;
you have slain the mighty warriors,
wrapped in sleep of death are they;
when your anger once is risen,
who can stand in that dread day?

When from heav’n your sentence sounded,
all the earth in fear was still,
while to save the meek and lowly
God in judgment wrought his will;
e’en the wrath of man shall praise you,
your designs it shall fulfil.

Vow and pay unto Jehovah,
him your God forever own;
all men, bring your gifts before him
worship him, and him alone;
mighty kings obey and fear him,
princes bow before his throne.

Psalm 75:6-10 “For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, comes exaltation. But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another. For in the LORD’s hand there is a cup, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours it out. Indeed the wicked of the earth drink and drink it to its very dregs. But I will declare this forever: I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. I will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.”

It is left to the congregation of the righteous to bring praise to God. It won’t come from the unrighteous in any direction! Especially since they will be on the receiving end of His judgment.

For additional worship: Battle Hymn of the Republic (Live at the Kennedy Center)