APRIL 14
Psalm 74:10, “How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?”
Psalm 74 is a lament that mourns the destruction of the Temple and the suffering of God’s people. Asaph grieves the devastation of God’s sanctuary, describing how invaders desecrated it, burned it to the ground, and openly mocked God. In his distress, he questions why God has allowed His enemies to profane His name and defy His power. The chief concern of the psalmist is God’s apparent silence in the face of this mockery.
Asaph recalls God’s past victories and his sovereign power over creation, urging God to rise up and defend His honor. He repeatedly emphasizes that God’s enemies are scoffing at Him with no apparent consequences, and he cries out for justice, pleading with God not to remain passive while the wicked revile His name. His cry for God’s intervention resonates with all who wonder about how God can delay justice in the face of such mockery and wickedness.
This mockery of God reached a pinnacle at the cross. Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God and Creator of all things (John 1:1-3), was heaven sent to rescue us, living among us as a humble servant, showing love and performing miraculous deeds that showed his true identity. Yet, despite His acts of love and power, He willingly suffered and endured the cross and mockery from all sides—religious leaders, soldiers, common people, and even the criminals crucified beside Him. Mocked and scoffed at, He still prayed from the cross, asking God to forgive the mockers. And, as he died for sins and rose from the dead, he unleashed the good news, which has both the power to forgive and to turn rebels into worshipers.
People still mock God today, doubting his existence or relevance, as Peter writes: “Where is the promise of his coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). What they don’t understand is that God is withholding judgment not out of weakness, but out of patience, as Peter explains: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The mockery of God continues, and that it does testifies to the great mercy of God who desires all men to forsake their rebellion in sin and turn to Jesus for salvation.
Jesus died for scoffers, unleashing the gospel that has the power to transform rebels into worshipers.
Application Questions: How does it make you feel when you hear others mock God? How best can you respond, knowing that Jesus has worked to transform you from a rebel sinner to one who loves God? Consider ways you might share your faith with those who deny Him (1 Peter 3:15).
LookingtoJesus 