Psalm 79
September 13, 2026
Holy God,
We are reminded in Psalm 79 of that fateful day when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem.
“The nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. 3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. 4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us… 7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.”
And while we might read those words with horror, the true horror had been happening for hundreds of years before (and up until that day) as your people continually abandoned you and sinned against you — trading you for other gods of the surrounding nations or their own making.
And you warned them persistently, LORD, of where their sin would lead them.
As we read in 2 Chronicles 36:15 “The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy.”
And so Babylon came and laid waste to Jerusalem. They desecrated and destroyed your temple, they laid Jerusalem in ruins, and killed many.
Lord, let us not be quick to avert our eyes and our hearts from this image for this is where our sin ultimately leads us: Pain, destruction, and slavery.
When we spurn your warnings and scoff at your messengers, this is the end we ought to expect.
For you are holy, completely pure, totally just, and it is right for you to demand those things from those who bear your image and especially those who call on your name.
LORD, when we your people feel your discipline for sin, let us not spurn it, but let us learn from it.
And, above all, let us repent of our sin. Casting it aside and hoping in your grace.
Let us learn the words of the Psalmist who cries out, “Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!”
God, that is our hope!
Not that we will make ourselves cleaner, not that we will prove to you how worthy we are of saving, not that we will persuade you with our charisma, but for the glory of your own name, Lord, would you save us?
Would you put on display your great grace and wonderful compassion and everlasting kindness and show the entire world how worthy of worship you are in that you save your stubborn, rebellious people who call on you in faith?
And Lord, in Jesus Christ, that is exactly what we find.
In Him, you remain just, but you are also the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
You have poured out your wrath against our sin — not on us who deserve it, but on Christ at the cross and in the resurrection you prove our salvation has been won forever.
Lord, help us to carry this incredible news to the nations.
May we be people who pray and spend money and go to the nations near and far to tell them, “Jesus Christ has come into the world to save sinners and to make us the sheep of his pasture.”
Lord, we pray for our global partners abroad who are doing that work.
We pray for B and T as they welcome a new baby. We pray for T’s recovery and the health of this child.
Father, continue to be with and make your presence known with Patrick and Shelby as they mourn the loss of their baby girl.
We thank you for the ways you have already brought comfort to them, but we (in accordance with your great compassion) ask for even more.
Lord, be with us as we study your word from the Gospel of Matthew and consider the miraculous works of your Son.
For the glory of his name we pray,
And all God’s people said: Amen.