Daily Scripture Threshing for Saturday, July 18, 2020
Today’s Text: Psalm 90:12-17
Key Verses: Psalm 90:13 (KJV): “Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.”
This Psalm is one of the most misunderstood of David’s Psalms. It leaves most people in doubt as to what exactly the clauses “return O Lord” and “let it repent thee” mean. Does God change His attitude? Does He repent or ever needed repentance after the manner of men? Does He, like us, relent from His course of actions and ever had to regret anything that has done? What does the text before us have to do with God’s immutability of purpose? The word of a God helps us provide answers to these and all other questions in our hearts.
In the theology of the Jews, man’s sinfulness makes God to withhold his kindness and favor back from His people. They opined that a man or a people need to regain God’s interest and have Him repent of punishing them. This ideology is possibly behind the intercession of David when he pleaded that God should return. He prayed God to come back to His people; and show mercy by sparing them. His intention or motif was so that God may yet declare to all the world, that He has not quite forsaken them as nation — for nothing, to them, more represents shame and disaster. David prayed that God will return to the recorded working of wonders for them. Unfortunately, any ideology or theology of God that is incomplete will almost always also be incorrect, as well as lead to misappropriation and miss application. Therefore, the background in which David prayed is necessary to the understanding of this prayer before us.
The psalm was composed in a time when the nation was going through pestilence. There was a raging sickness that threatened to sweep all the people away similar to our own situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. And it is by no means improbable that many of us are already jolted into thinking that God may have forsaken our generation because of our rebellions. However, a proper revelation of God helps remove any shade of turning or unreliability from Him. Both Testaments (Old and News) assure us that there’s no shadows of turning with God. In 1 Samuel 15:29 and Numbers 23:19, God is said to never be likable to men that break promises. He never abandons His commitment for our preservation and benediction; but He also never countenance evil. When Israel complained in Isaiah 58:3 that the glorious promises had not as yet been fulfilled. God answered them in Isaiah 59:1 that the hindrances are on their side.
I know that right now it seems we all also wish that God will return to us, repent of punishing us and take away our pains; but inasmuch as the turn away is always on man’s side, the return and repent call must also be upon us. God commanded Zechariah (1:3): “Therefore say you to them, Thus said the LORD of hosts; Turn you to me, said the LORD of hosts, and I will turn to you, said the LORD of host.” Whenever God’s goodwill seems withdrawn, it is because He does not want us to persist in our impenitence; rather, He is bringing us down on our knees. Therefore, rather than wasting our fleeting days in pursuing fancies, and vanities, why not let us repent in our hearts, and return to God. Isaiah 30:18 assures us that God is waiting to be gracious like the father of the prodigal son, in Jesus’ parable of Luke 15, waited for him to return. God has no pleasure in the death of a sinner. He is calling you to “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded” (James 4:8).
Quote for the Day: "Inasmuch as the turn away is always on man’s side, the return and repent call is on us.“ (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: O gracious God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin, and that you raised Him to life. I put my trust in Him as my Lord and Savior. I chose to follow Him from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
With all my love and prayer,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
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