Category: Psalms

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Psalm 79, Judgement starts at home!

Psa 79:1, …God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; Your holy temple they have defiled; They have laid Jerusalem in heaps. 

Jerusalem was defiled by the Armies of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon! They raided the temple, and took all the sacred items!

Psa 79:2-3, The dead bodies of YOUR SERVANTS—They have given as food for the birds of the heavens, The flesh of YOUR SAINTS to the beasts of the earth. THEIR BLOOD THEY HAVE SHED LIKE WATER ALL AROUND JERUSALEM, AND THERE WAS NO ONE TO BURY THEM.

Their unburied bodies turned into food for the birds! The Psalmist is pleading to GOD, “LORD THE BODIES OF YOUR SERVANTS ARE LIKE THE CARCASSES OF AN ANIMALS, UNLOVED! THESE ARE YOUR SAINTS OH LORD”!

Psa 79:5, HOW LONG, LORD? WILL YOU BE ANGRY FOREVER? WILL YOUR JEALOUSY BURN LIKE FIRE? 

The Psalmist doesn’t say “WHY”, but how long! He knows that GOD has allowed this to happen to Israel. BECAUSE OF THE SIN OF ISRAEL GOD HAS GIVEN THEM OVER TO THEIR ENEMIES!

Jer 27:5-6, ‘I HAVE MADE THE EARTH, THE MAN AND THE BEAST that are on the ground, by MY GREAT POWER and by my outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to ME. AND NOW I HAVE GIVEN ALL THESE LANDS INTO THE HAND OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING OF BABYLON, MY SERVANT; …

Psa 79:8-9, Oh, DO NOT REMEMBER FORMER INIQUITIES AGAINST US! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low. HELP US, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and PROVIDE ATONEMENT FOR OUR SINS, FOR YOUR NAME’S SAKE!

When we have sinned against the LORD we must confess our sins, We must humble ourselves before HIM (1John 1:9)! Remember, scripture says that “Blessed is the nation whose GOD is the LORD, Psa 33:12″; YET IT DOESN’T MEAN THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED, FOR HE CORRECTS THOSE WHOM HE LOVES!

Jer 25:29, FOR BEHOLD, I BEGIN TO BRING CALAMITY ON THE CITY WHICH IS CALLED BY MY NAME, AND SHOULD YOU BE UTTERLY UNPUNISHED? YOU SHALL NOT BE UNPUNISHED, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS.’ 

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Psalm 78, We need faith!

Psa 78:14-15, In the daytime also He led them with the cloud, And all the night with a light of fire. He split the rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink in abundance like the depths.

By HIS mighty hand, HE led Israel day and night! When they were thirsty, HE brought water from a rock and quenched their thirst!

Psa 78:17-18, BUT THEY SINNED EVEN MORE AGAINST HIM BY REBELLING AGAINST THE MOST HIGH IN THE WILDERNESS. AND THEY TESTED GOD IN THEIR HEART BY ASKING FOR THE FOOD OF THEIR FANCY.

Israel was on a road trip to their new homeland guided by GOD! YET, they tested GOD! Can GOD do this, can HE do that!

Psa 78:19-20, Yes, they spoke against God: They said, “CAN GOD PREPARE A TABLE IN THE WILDERNESS? …. CAN HE GIVE BREAD ALSO? CAN HE PROVIDE MEAT FOR HIS PEOPLE?”

Num 11:21,23 And Moses said, “The people whom I am among are SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN ON FOOT; yet You have said, ‘I WILL GIVE THEM MEAT, THAT THEY MAY EAT FOR A WHOLE MONTH.’ …. And the LORD said to Moses, “HAS THE LORD’S ARM BEEN SHORTENED? NOW YOU SHALL SEE WHETHER WHAT I SAY WILL HAPPEN TO YOU OR NOT.” 

We as humans tend to limit GOD who created all things by HIS breath! Even when it’s impossible for us, Remember HE is not limited!

Luk 18:27, But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” 

HE gave them the bread they desired “Manna”, and the meat they craved for, BUT THEIR HEARTS STILL DOUBTED THE LORD!

Psa 78:37, FOR THEIR HEART WAS NOT STEADFAST WITH HIM, NOR WERE THEY FAITHFUL IN HIS COVENANT.

Psa 78:41, Yes, again and again they tempted God, AND LIMITED THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL. 

OUR LACK OF FAITH LIMITS WHAT GOD CAN DO FOR US AND THROUGH US! REMEMBER JESUS WHEN HE WENT TO NAZARETH!

Mat 13:58, Now HE did not do many mighty works there BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF. 

Heb 11:6, BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM, FOR HE WHO COMES TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. 

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Psalm 77, Has HE forgotten?

Psa 77:2-3, In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah

The Psalmist cried out to GOD with his voice and stretched out his hand. GRAB MY HAND OH LORD AND LEAD ME! I KNOW YOUR THERE, BUT WHY DON’T YOU HELP?

Psa 77:7-9, Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? HAS HIS PROMISE FAILED FOREVERMORE? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah

Only a child of GOD can ask these questions! In times of trouble, like the psalmist, we question the LORD and HIS faithfulness! Has HE forgotten to be gracious and merciful to us? Has HE left me in the cold; Has HIS promises failed? Where is HE?

Num 23:19, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. HAS HE SAID, AND WILL HE NOT DO? OR HAS HE SPOKEN, AND WILL HE NOT MAKE IT GOOD? 

We, as humans, break our promises all the time; we say something and do another. BUT unlike us, the LORD is faithful to HIS word and HIS promises! Remember HE is always working!

Luk 21:33, Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 

Isa 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Psa 77:10-11, And I said, “This is my anguish; But I WILL REMEMBER THE YEARS OF THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MOST HIGH.” I WILL REMEMBER THE WORKS OF THE LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 

In his anguish he said these things, but now he remembers all those years that the LORD held his hand and guided him! All those times when there was no way out YET GOD found a way! Remember the doors HE opened for us and what it cost HIM! Truly HE is faithful!

Isa 41:13, For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

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Psalm 76, Who can stand?

Psa 76:1, …In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. In Salem also is His tabernacle, And His dwelling place in Zion.

GOD made HIS presence know to HIS people when king Sennacherib invaded Israel! They surrounded Jerusalem and he sent the Rabshakeh, an Assyrian Officer, to speak to Israel!

Isa 36:15, NOR LET HEZEKIAH MAKE YOU TRUST IN THE LORD, saying, “THE LORD WILL SURELY DELIVER US; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” ‘

Psa 76:3, There He broke the arrows of the bow, The shield and sword of battle. Selah 

Isa 54:17, NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER, AND EVERY TONGUE WHICH RISES AGAINST YOU IN JUDGMENT YOU SHALL CONDEMN….

Psa 76:5-6, The stouthearted were plundered; THEY HAVE SUNK INTO THEIR SLEEP; … At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both the chariot and horse were cast INTO A DEAD SLEEP.

In one night, the GOD of Israel made HIMSELF known; when HE slew 185,000 Assyrians!

Isa 37:36, Then the ANGEL OF THE LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; …

Psa 76:7-8, You, Yourself, are to be feared; And WHO MAY STAND IN YOUR PRESENCE WHEN ONCE YOU ARE ANGRY? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; THE EARTH FEARED AND WAS STILL,

YES, the LORD is a GOD of love, but HE is also just and righteous! HE will condemn the wicked for the day of the LORD is near!

Nah 1:6, WHO CAN STAND BEFORE HIS INDIGNATION? AND WHO CAN ENDURE THE FIERCENESS OF HIS ANGER? HIS FURY IS POURED OUT LIKE FIRE, AND THE ROCKS ARE THROWN DOWN BY HIM. 

Psa 76:11-12, Make vows to the LORD your God, and pay them; …. HE IS AWESOME TO THE kings OF THE EARTH.

Nah 1:7, The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; AND HE KNOWS THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM. 

Believe it or not, in HIS eyes those that trust in HIM are kings! For HE is the KING OF kings! Trust in the LORD for HE is good!

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Psalm 75, The cup of HIS wrath!

Psa 75:1, … We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

The works of the LORD, in regards to Israel, are simply amazing! We should always give thanks to the LORD for HE continues to work!

Deu 4:33-34, DID ANY PEOPLE ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live? Or did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that THE LORD YOUR GOD DID FOR YOU IN EGYPT BEFORE YOUR EYES?

Psa 75:4-5, “I SAID TO THE BOASTFUL, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck.’ “

HE has said to those that brag and the proud, “STOP BOASTING, STOP BEING PRIDEFUL; IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU, BUT IT’S ABOUT HIM”!

Psa 75:6-7, FOR EXALTATION comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. BUT GOD IS THE JUDGE: HE PUTS DOWN ONE, AND EXALTS ANOTHER.

THE LORD PROMOTES WHO HE WILLS! HE WOULD EVEN LIFT UP A CORRUPT RULER IN ORDER TO JUDGE A NATION! HE IS IN FULL CONTROL, NOTHING GETS PAST HIM!

Pro 29:2, When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. 

Luk 1:52, HE HAS PUT DOWN THE MIGHTY FROM THEIR THRONES, AND EXALTED THE LOWLY. 

Psa 75:8, FOR IN THE HAND OF THE LORD THERE IS A CUP, And the wine is red; It is fully mixed, and He pours it out; SURELY ITS DREGS SHALL ALL THE WICKED OF THE EARTH DRAIN AND DRINK DOWN.

Job 21:20b, … LET HIM DRINK OF THE WRATH OF THE ALMIGHTY.

The cup in HIS hand is a cup of wrath, a cup of judgement which the wicked will one day drink even to it’s dregs! YET Remember the LORD HIMSELF drank that cup for us, HE took the punishment that we deserved on HIMSELF!

Isa 51:22, Thus says your Lord, The LORD and your God, Who pleads the cause of His people: “See, I HAVE TAKEN OUT OF YOUR HAND THE CUP OF TREMBLING, The dregs of the cup of My fury; YOU SHALL NO LONGER DRINK IT. 

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Psalm 74, The tribulations of HIS people!

Psa 74:1-2, …O God, WHY HAVE YOU CAST US OFF FOREVER? WHY DOES YOUR ANGER SMOKE AGAINST THE SHEEP OF YOUR PASTURE? Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed—This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

Because of the sin of HIS people, God allowed suffering to come to Israel! The Psalmist felt abandoned by GOD! REMEMBER, THE LORD DIDN’T LEAVE, BUT IT WAS ISRAEL THAT LEFT HIM! The LORD Chastens those HE loves!

Heb 12:6, FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” 

Psa 74:6-7, And now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers. They have set fire to Your sanctuary; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.

This is what happened to Solomon’s temple. The Talmud says that they had a two-day feast in the temple, but burnt it on the third day! Recorded in 2Ki 25:9-10!

Isa 64:11-12, Our holy and beautiful temple, Where our fathers praised You, Is burned up with fire; And all our pleasant things are laid waste. Will You restrain Yourself because of these things, O LORD? Will You hold Your peace, and afflict us very severely?

The LORD will deal with the wicked in due time, BUT AS A LOVING FATHER HE CORRECTS THOSE HE LOVES THAT WE MAY NOT BE CONDEMNED WITH THE WICKED!

1Co 11:32, But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, THAT WE MAY NOT BE CONDEMNED WITH THE WORLD. 

Psa 74:12, FOR GOD IS MY KING FROM OF OLD, WORKING SALVATION IN THE MIDST OF THE EARTH. 

THE LORD IS ALWAYS WORKING IN OUR LIVES! HE NEVER GIVES UP ON HIS PEOPLE! WE MAY STUMBLE IN THIS LIFE, BUT WITH HIM WE WILL NEVER FALL!

Psa 37:24, Though they stumble, they will never fall, FOR THE LORD HOLDS THEM BY THE HAND. 

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Psalm 73, Why do the wicked prosper?

Psa 73:1-3, …Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. BUT AS FOR ME, MY FEET HAD ALMOST STUMBLED; MY STEPS HAD NEARLY SLIPPED. FOR I WAS ENVIOUS OF THE BOASTFUL, WHEN I SAW THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED.

GOD is good to the pure at heart, but when he saw the prosperity of the wicked, he almost stumbled! WHY? Why are they prospering in their wickedness; they have a better life than most people?

Job 21:7, Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power? 

Psa 73:4-5, For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.

Other men are plagued by financial hardships in the death of a family member, but the wicked, in their prosperity, don’t suffer at all?

Psa 73:9,11, They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth… And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?”

GOD DOESN’T SEE WHAT WE DO, GOD DOESN’T KNOW; WHY WORRY IT’S ALL GOOD!

Hos 7:2, THEY DO NOT CONSIDER IN THEIR HEARTS THAT I REMEMBER ALL THEIR WICKEDNESS; NOW THEIR OWN DEEDS HAVE SURROUNDED THEM; THEY ARE BEFORE MY FACE. 

Psa 73:13-14, SURELY I HAVE CLEANSED MY HEART IN VAIN, And washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.

THEY LIVE AWESOME LIVES IN THEIR WICKEDNESS, YET I SUFFER DAILY? SOMETHING IS JUST NOT RIGHT?

Psa 73:16-17, When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me— UNTIL I WENT INTO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD; THEN I UNDERSTOOD THEIR END. 

Pro 23:17-18, Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; FOR SURELY THERE IS A HEREAFTER, AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF.

MANY BELIEVE THAT ONCE YOU DIE IT’S OVER. YET, DEATH IS THE START OF THEIR TRUE LIVES IN CHRIST FOR THOSE THAT BELIEVE AND TRUSTED IN THE LORD! FOR THE WICKED IT’S TIME TO PAY FOR THEIR WICKEDNESS FOREVER!

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Psalm 72, the Coming KING!

Psa 72:1, …Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.

The LORD had appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “ASK! WHAT SHALL I GIVE YOU”, 1Kings 3:5-13

1Ki 3:9, THEREFORE GIVE TO YOUR SERVANT AN UNDERSTANDING HEART TO JUDGE YOUR PEOPLE, THAT I MAY DISCERN BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL. FOR WHO IS ABLE TO JUDGE THIS GREAT PEOPLE OF YOURS?”

Solomon asked for wisdom to be able to judge the people of GOD! And it pleased the LORD! WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ASK FOR IF THE LORD TOLD YOU THE SAME THING?

Psa 72:2,4-5, HE WILL JUDGE YOUR PEOPLE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS, And Your poor with JUSTICE…. He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor. THEY SHALL FEAR YOU AS LONG AS THE SUN AND MOON ENDURE, THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS.

Solomon is not thinking of himself here; he is thinking of the Greater SON of David which is the coming Messiah “JESUS”! HE will rule the whole earth with righteousness and justice!

Psa 72:10-11, The kings of Tarshish and of the isles WILL BRING PRESENTS; The kings of Sheba and Seba WILL OFFER GIFTS. YES, ALL KINGS SHALL FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM; ALL NATIONS SHALL SERVE HIM.

Kings brought gifts to HIM and kneeled before HIM at HIS first coming. BUT, in HIS second coming ALL KINGS SHALL FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM AND BRING HIM PRESENTS!

Mat 2:11, …they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, AND FELL DOWN AND WORSHIPED HIM. AND WHEN THEY HAD OPENED THEIR TREASURES, THEY PRESENTED GIFTS TO HIM: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Psa 72:13-14, HE will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. HE will redeem their life from oppression and violence; AND PRECIOUS SHALL BE THEIR BLOOD IN HIS SIGHT.

Today, when a homeless person dies on the street no one really cares! Or, when a baby is ripped apart in the womb of it’s mother, we call a right! BUT HE CARES FOR ALL LIVES, NOT JUST THE WELL TODO! IN HIS EYES THEIR BLOOD IS PRECIOUS TO HIM FOR HE CREATED THEM ALL!

Psa 116:15, Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. 

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Psalm 71, Wisdom from the aged!

Psa 71:5, For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.

David in his youth always trusted in the LORD! It’s always a beautiful thing to see the youth praising GOD in faith!

Psa 71:9, DO NOT CAST ME OFF IN THE TIME OF OLD AGE; DO NOT FORSAKE ME WHEN MY STRENGTH FAILS.

David as a youth fought against Goliath, against strong armies, but now in his old age his strength fails. YET, DAVID KNOWS THAT GOD’S STRENGTH NEVER FAILS!

Ecc 12:1, Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, BEFORE THE DIFFICULT DAYS COME, AND THE YEARS DRAW NEAR WHEN YOU SAY, “I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN THEM”: 

Psa 71:17-18, O GOD, YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME FROM MY YOUTH; And to this day I DECLARE YOUR WONDROUS WORKS. Now also when I am OLD AND GRAYHEADED, O God, do not forsake me, UNTIL I DECLARE YOUR STRENGTH TO THIS GENERATION, YOUR POWER TO EVERYONE WHO IS TO COME.

David, in his advanced age, desires to teach everyone about the strength of GOD! He wants to teach about His faithfulness, how the LORD saved him, how the LORD fought for him! OLD MEN/WOMEN HAVE A LOT TO TEACH BUT WE MUST BE WILLING TO LISTEN!

Job 12:12, Wisdom is with aged men, And with length of days, understanding.

One thing to remember about GOD’s faithfulness is that it never runs out! HE HAS UPHELD YOU IN YOUR YOUTH AND WILL CARRY YOU IN YOUR OLD AGE! HE IS FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE THE WORK HE STARTED IN YOU!

Isa 46:3-4, “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, WHO HAVE BEEN UPHELD BY ME FROM BIRTH, WHO HAVE BEEN CARRIED FROM THE WOMB: EVEN TO YOUR OLD AGE, I AM HE, AND EVEN TO GRAY HAIRS I WILL CARRY YOU! I HAVE MADE, AND I WILL BEAR; EVEN I WILL CARRY, AND WILL DELIVER YOU.

HE SHALL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US, AND HIS STRENGTH NEVER FAILS! TURN TO GOD, SEEK HIS FACE FOR HE IS NEAR!

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Psalm 70, waiting on the LORD!

Psa 70:1, …To Bring to Remembrance. MAKE HASTE, O God, to deliver me! MAKE HASTE to help me, O LORD! 

G. Campbell Morgan believed that these types of prayers were flawed in the understanding of GOD! To think that GOD is not paying attention is just wrong! YET, he goes on to say that these imperfect prayers are exactly what GOD expects to hear from imperfect men!

Isa 40:28, HAVE YOU NOT KNOWN? HAVE YOU NOT HEARD? THE EVERLASTING GOD, THE LORD, THE CREATOR OF THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, NEITHER FAINTS NOR IS WEARY. HIS UNDERSTANDING IS UNSEARCHABLE.

GOD doesn’t sleep HE is always working!

Psa 121:3-4, He will not allow your foot to be moved; HE WHO KEEPS YOU WILL NOT SLUMBER. BEHOLD, HE WHO KEEPS ISRAEL SHALL NEITHER SLUMBER NOR SLEEP.

Psa 70:4, LET ALL THOSE WHO SEEK YOU REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN YOU; AND LET THOSE WHO LOVE YOUR SALVATION SAY CONTINUALLY, “LET GOD BE MAGNIFIED!” 

Those who seek HIM shall rejoice in HIM; for there’s a great reward waiting for all who put their trust in HIM! WE HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING YET!

1Co 2:9, But as it is written: “EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” 

Psa 70:5, But I am poor and needy; MAKE HASTE to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, DO NOT DELAY. 

David describes himself as a poor afflicted beggar saying “PLEASE HELP ME LORD”!

Psa 13:1, …How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 

GOD IS NOT IN A HURRY, YET NEVER LATE! HE UNDERSTANDS THE SITUATION BETTER THAN WE DO! TRUST IN THE LORD!

Psa 147:5, Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; HIS UNDERSTANDING IS INFINITE. 

Psa 62:5, MY SOUL, WAIT SILENTLY FOR GOD ALONE, FOR MY EXPECTATION IS FROM HIM.