“How long, Lord God Almighty,
will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6 You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.”
(Psalm 80:4-6, NIV)
As I read this Psalm this morning, I couldn’t help but remember the many tears that have been shed by those displaced, harmed, and in mourning because of Boko Haram.
It can definitely feel like God is the One directly making His people suffer, as the Psalmist says; but could it be that God allowed satan to do such things to His People? I am honestly not sure on if it truly was God bringing about such pain or if it was merely satan. But isn’t that so revelant in our daily lives, especially when we get struck hard with something, and don’t know where it came from? Trying to discern if something was from God or not can be difficult.
Though that can be confusing, it is a bittersweet comfort that the Israelites—Asaph, the director of music, specifically—can cry out to God to make it stop. In the very next verse, Asaph says,
“Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80:7, NIV)
Whether it was God directly punishing and attacking Israel, or that He simply allowed satan to torture Israel, it is God alone who can restore us. When His Face shines upon them, they are safe, saved from the torture they were going through.
Today, whatever your circumstances—and especially with the circumstances with those in Northern Nigeria, come near to Jesus, and allow the light of His Face shine on you and restore you.
Do you know Jesus?
When Jesus went to the cross to die, the Father turned His Face away from Jesus (Matthew 27:46). Yet, Jesus went through with dying for our sins. Learn more about Jesus, and His Love for you, here.
Please pray for (find the prayer sheet here)…
- Those in Northern Nigeria, who feel as if Jesus has left them or is punishing them—that they would be strengthened and would know His Love.
- That Boko Haram would be truly defeated soon.
- That Nigerian soldiers would keep up good morale in their fight against Boko Haram.
- Those suffering in general that you know of right now.
Thank you for your prayers!
ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY 