PSALM 74. SIGNS, NOT LABELS. In the 9th verse of this psalm Asaph sings, "We see not our signs, there is no more any prophet, neither is any among us that knoweth how long." What a doleful theme?. We do not see the signs that were seen in the past, and we do not know where we are going in the future. The ode is specially designed for times of commotion and persecution. Today we are living in an atmosphere where people want to put labels upon everything. The time has come however for the people of God to forget our labels and remember that we all belong to the Lord. We should look for the signs that God is moving, not what label is stuck upon other believers. The times of commotion and persecution come to everyone. It is a peculiar Christian experience which has never had persecution in it. The moment you declare yourself to be on the Lord's side, and live as a believer, the opposition commences. Some say that this psalm points to the siege of Jerusalem, which actually took place 40 years after our Lord's death and resurrection. It could be that the psalm was prophetic; its author was a seer, or a prophet who looked out into the future. In the title of the psalm it says, 'A maschil of Asaph'. He was not only a seer but also a composer; a writer of psalms. Maschil is a difficult word. There are many opinions about its meaning. It could mean, "Dictated by interpreter" or "Explained by an interpreter; (I can accept these} or, it simply refers to the name of the instrument mainly used for accompanying the psalm. It could also refer to the first word of the song, the tune of which the psalm should be sung. Maybe, if we accept the last suggestion, that Asaph set the psalm to some popular tune. making it adhere to people's minds.; a not unusual ploy in times past. whatever the meaning of 'Maschil', when we look into the psalm, we see the meaning behind the words. God's people were at the time when God's house was being broken down. Asaph says, "We see not our signs" (Vs.9) We are no longer able to see the unusual tokens of God's presence and supremacy. Israel had experienced much of signs and wonders. Their history was full of them. It is however a good thing when God's people realise that there is something missing in their present experience. It is possible to go through the same religious procedure week after week, month after month, and year after year, not realising that something vital is missing. We are living in a world in which all is not well. Therefore it is essential for the realisation to enter the church, that all is not well. The signs are missing. Recently I heard a preacher say, "Recession will never reach us, we are God's people." How stupid. We are living in this world. We must never take the blessing of God for granted. When we see no sign of God's moving the answer is not to be found in sticking labels on all and sundry. We must recognise that the signs are missing. I am aware of the fact that there have been a lot of naughty Palmers. Because of this there have been times when I could have wished that my name was not Palmer, particularly in Staffordshire where the most famous Palmer was a notorious poisoner called Pedlar Palmer. All names are shamed by evil deeds from time to time. Then labels are stuck on people. How easy it is to do that. When God's signs are missing, the best thing to do is to make an united effort to get back to where God is willing to move. Then we will see God's sign among the peoples of the earth. Asaph emphasises, "There is no more any prophet." The sure word of prophecy was no longer with them. The Word of the Lord is essential to the progress and well being of God's people. The prophetic word must be judged by the written word. Asaph felt the lack of guidance for the future. "Where is it all going to end?", is a question common to peoples of every age. The Bible says, "Without a vision the people perish." This was Asaph's predicament. There was no sign, there was no guidance. They had been guided by signs in the past. But now - no cloud; no fire; no glory; no prophet; no sign; no miracle. "Neither is there any among us that knoweth how long." There were signs of persecution. Asaph was convinced that if God had not been angry with them, their enemies would not have been able to harm them (Vs.1) But the amazing fact is, that even when we have displeased God, He is able to bless us. This happens time and time again. Asaph sings of, "The congregation which Thou hast purchased." What a wonderful phrase this is. I delight in it, for I belong to that congregation; purchased of old by God. The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. The price of redemption was paid before it all began. The story of full salvation is from eternity to eternity. The Cross of Christ is a sign which shines over all Ages. God has measured the rod of our inheritance; in other words, God has measured our time on earth. During that allotted period we have our opportunity of entering into our inheritance by Faith in God's Son, Jesus Christ. Asaph cries prophetically to the Lord, "Lift up Thy feet through the desolations." In other words he prays, 'O God, take big strides through the desolations." We have a God who CAN take big strides, and WILL take big strides. Christians all over the world are convinced that before long we shall experience the return of the Son of God, who will set up His Kingdom in Glory and power. We look for the signs. The whole end of this Age will be lit up with the fulfilment on many prophecies and the return of our Lord is imminent. WE cry with Asaph, "O God, take big steps and we shall see great signs. In the days when God used the Wesleys there were people who were willing to give their all for the house of God to be built up. Among them were the Wesleys themselves. In these days the chapels and churches sacrificially built then, are now being brought down or used for mundane purposes, because so many people have only one interest - "How much can we get out of life?" It is the principle of the Age we live in, "Let's get something for ourselves!" The money principle is the Devil's own business. In the days when this psalm was written, they had trees to build the house of God. In these days men make themselves infamous by chopping down the house of God. But Asaph the Seer saw signs of God moving. He knew of the signs of the past, the sea dividing, the mountains cleaving, the waters flowing out of the rock. He knew that his God was the God of Wonders. Now he longed to see the Wonders of God. We worship the Great God of Wonders. but in our heart of hearts we long to see the Signs of our God. We would surrender the wonders to see God move; just to see Him take Big Strides through our generation. Of one thing we are confident, God will keep all His Promises. We accept what the Apostle Paul says, "We know in whom we have believed, and we are persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him until That Day." Copyright (c) 1996, Hedley Palmer. All rights reserved. ---------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/hpalmer/psalms: ps-074.txt .