How far does your thanksgiving go?

 Psalm 79:1–13 (ESV):  

1  O God, 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 neighbours, 

mocked and derided by those around us. 

 5  How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? 

Will your jealousy burn like fire? 

 6  Pour out your anger on the nations 

that do not know you, 

 and on the kingdoms 

that do not call upon your name! 

 7  For they have devoured Jacob 

and laid waste his habitation. 

 8  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! 

 10  Why should the nations say, 

“Where is their God?” 

  Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants 

be known among the nations before our eyes! 

 11  Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; 

according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die! 

 12  Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbours 

the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord! 

 13  But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, 

will give thanks to you forever; 

from generation to generation we will recount your praise. 

Can you imagine such devastation? Those who have lived through wars may be able to empathise and understand something of what Asaph saw and experienced. Utter devastation, disgust and despair. Seeing not only your country overrun, but the holy place of God’s dwelling destroyed and the people desperate and dying through violence and neglect, their bodies even eaten by creatures. The sights, the smells surrounding those that remained alive. Living day by day in terror. It is difficult and horrific to imagine. The country of Israel was invaded and defeated, ruined and derided by ‘the nations’. Every person in the country suffered - the faithful and unfaithful, young and old, man and woman went through this trauma. Not only physical suffering but the emotional abuse of being derided and mocked is added to the Israelite’s plight.

Can you imagine suffering in such a way? Let alone suffering in such a way and still giving thanks to, honouring, loving and following God throughout? Asaph does. He describes the situation, and cries out to God for relief, release and restoration of God’s people. Then he exclaims, ‘But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever’. Wow! Amidst the taunts, grief and hardship Asaph and the people with him are still grateful. Are you?

Asaph grasped something of the greatness, mightiness, constancy and majesty of God. He knows God is good and glorious, so much so that he continues to see it even in the midst of desecration, desolation and destruction. Just because the situation is awful, it doesn’t change the nature of God. Asaph understood that God is forever good, and He always loves His people. Therefore Asaph set his mind to seek and worship Him. Asaph acknowledged that God is compassionate and powerful. He is salvation, and remains the Shepherd of Israel no matter where they are, what they have done or are going through. Even though the situation of the nation was shocking, Asaph and the Israelites acknowledged God’s goodness and expressed gratitude to Him. 

God is always worthy of praise. He remains glorious, good and great, loving and protective, strong and compassionate no matter what is happening. In a changing and demoralising world, God is faithful and constant in His love and compassion. Therefore He is worthy of praise no matter what. If the Israelites can 'recount your (God's) praise' forever during the invasion of their territory and the degradation of their people, How much more do you have to be grateful for? 

How far does your thanksgiving go? Will you 'give thanks to you  (God) forever' no matter what you face?