Wed.3.11.15...Super Psalms- Ps.78- Didactic

Why Did These Armed Men Turn Back on the Day of Battle? 

The Bible is a big book and I’m a slow reader. If only we could find someone who could boil down all those stories and give us the Cliff Notes. I found just the man for us. His name is Aspah and in Psalm 78, he summarizes much of the OT and gives us vital life lessons from it. The psalm is still on the long side though (weighing in at 72 verses; only Ps.119 is longer with 176 verses). So we’ll just touch on portions of it. By the way, you’ll notice that it’s not a psalm of prayer or praise. It’s a teaching psalm, as is Ps.105 and 106 (The techno name for these teaching psalms are didactic psalms. Didactic means teaching. Who labels these psalms with such words we never use?) So what crucial lesson is Asaph seeking to teach us? Let’s find out now- Read Ps.78:1-8. This is the introduction to the rest of the psalm. Underline the aim of his teaching in v.7.

By the way, don’t you like the way the older generation taught Asaph and his generation? Then they would teach their children, who were to teach their children the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, so that they would put their trust in God. It reminds me of our M3 theme verse- “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Tim.2:2. As we teach and train our protégés, we will then help them do likewise. This is a vital thrust of our strategy. O Lord, may these troops be willing on your day of battle! (Remember, that's from Ps.110:3 which we wrote on our MP3 card last week.)

Right after the ending of the introduction (v.1-8), we read that “The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle; they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law.” 78:9-10.

How could that happen to them after all the great things God had done for them? Before answering that question, look up and underline the following revealing verses as to their rebellion- Ps.78:11,22,32,37,57. This brings us to another BIG Bible Interpreting Guideline- look for repeated words or phrases to help you discover what the author is emphasizing. The main thing is the plain thing. 

1.-So based on the verses you just looked up and underlined, how could men armed for battle, turn back from following and fighting for God? (A short sentence will do.)

It’s also revealing to note how Asaph repeatedly uses the words “forgot” or refused to “remember” (You might want to circle those words in your Bible in these verses we’ll now refer to.) When the people forgot what God had done for them (v.11) or refused to remember to keep Him in the picture (v.42-cropping him out), then rebellion and ruin followed.

When things are going well, people tend to forget or ignore God. But when disaster strikes, such as a 9/11 event, people turn to him. The Israelites did the same thing. In  their time of distress, “They remembered that God was their Rock” (v.36). But their hearts were not loyal to him. They quickly forgot him as soon as things improved.  Yet God was merciful and didn’t utterly destroy them. He “remembered” that they were so temporal- a passing breeze that does not return.” (v.39). How merciful that God searches for any reason to restrain his wrath.

So what’s the application for us? Paul tells us that these OT stories were written down to warn us (1 Cor.10:6,11) and teach us, just as Aspah was seeking to teach his people. We must guard against the danger of drifting and forgetting what God has done for us. Paul said, "Remember Jesus Christ" 2 Tim.2:8. Don't forget how great he is and what a great battle he fought to free you. So fight the good fight of the faith now as well. Don't turn back on the day of battle. Peter also points this out, that the man who is not making every effort to grow in godliness “has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” 2 Pet.1:11. Thus, Peter exhorts us to “make every effort” to grow. I’m so glad you are. The GREAT scoreboard reveals your effort. When men don’t want to make such effort, it’s often a sign that they have forgotten God's manly mission for them. (It’s all cropped out.) They might not drift over the falls into gross fleshly living, but they are sidelined, not fighting to advance the kingdom of God. Though armed by God to be mighty warriors, many men are like the men of Ephraim, they have turned back on the day of battle (78:9). 

"O Lord, give us Power HOUSE men- men who are hungry for you and who will obey you- unstoppable men who will not turn back, even if they face giant challenges in the land. Then help us to train and shepherd them well as David did." By faith, David was a great giant killer and yet a tender shepherd. Note how Ps.78 ends- “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” May we do the same with our proteges. What a great psalm teaching us to remember what God has done for us, and so to trust Him enough to follow Him and fight for him.

2.-Write out on your MP3 card this haunting verse regarding men who forget the Lord and their mission- "The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back  on the day of battle." Ps.78:9 What a great verse to prod us to pray not to become like that. Lord, help us to remain men of focus who fight in faith to advance the kingdom to the future generations of proteges. Let's pray for our proteges to this end as well. Attack!

G?

R?

E?

A?

T?

Announcements
This is it! Today is the last day to get any potential proteges signed up. If you haven't heard from me that I got your guy's application, that means he hasn't sent it in yet. So please call him now! Thanks!

It's going to a great time of welcoming our new Pros and honoring several of you this Sunday. See you before 3:00 at Jack's.

Thanks in advance of your willingness to contribute to the free will offering we will be taking up to help offset expenses. (My wife thanks you too!:)

Hive Fives to several of you! And 10+ to George with 10; Sam with 12 and jack with 14! 

1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	G MP3 sharing	Right Wrongs	Encouragement	A= Attack Prayers	T	Totals
	For Mon.3.9.15
Alpha Force
Fire Team 1
Jack Rogers U.3	1	6	1	4	1	1	14
Roger Vinlasaca U.3	1	1		1	1		4
Fire Team 2							0
Mike Pagan U.3	1				1	1	3
George Rabiela U.1	1	2	1	3	1	2	10
Fire Team 3							0
Sam Vargas U.3	1	3		3	1	4	12
Gary Remson U.3	1	3		2	1		7
Fire Team 4							0
Robert Roman U.2	1	3	2	2	1		9
Vince Diaz U.2	1		1	5	1		8
							0
Delta Force							0%
Fire Team 1							0
Alvin James U.2	1				1	2	4
Kentrayle Adams U.1	1		1		1		3
Fire Team 2							0
Dave Heidekruger U.3	1	2		2	1	1	7
Israel Fuentes U.3	1	1		1	1		4
Fire Team 3							0
Daniel Contreras U.2							0
Antonio Palomar	1	1	1		1		4
Fire Team 4							0
Eddie Morales U.3	1			6	1		8
Ismael Andrade U.2	1	1	1	2	1		6

Here’s a summary of our BIG Bible Interpreting Guidelines we've discovered so far-

Ask questions!

Give careful consideration to what you read.  

The purpose of rightly interpreting the Bible is to rightly obey it.

The Bible is the best interpreter of itself. So compare scripture with Scripture.

Being prayerful is commendable but it is not a dependable replacement for the careful study of Scripture.

It’s imperative that we know what kind of literature we are reading to interpret it and apply it correctly.

Knowing the background to what we are reading helps us better understand the passage. Commentaries and online resources can help us with such.

Knowing the mood of the author helps you better understand his message.

The apostles often quoted the OT from the Greek version of it called the Septuagint; thus don't be surprised that it doesn't line up exactly with our OT translated from the Hebrew. Plus,they paraphrased at times, all under the inspiration of God.

Since the Bible is God’s perfect word, if you think you’ve found an error in the Bible, it’s your error, not God’s! Many people think they’ve found a contradiction, when it may only be a contrasting statement, not a contradictory statement.

“Humbly accept the word” We don’t stand in judgment on it, it stands in judgment on us.

Keep in mind that the grand theme of the Bible is Jesus.

Don’t spiritualize the Scriptures. Those who spiritualize tell spiritual lies. Don’t read spiritual hidden meanings about Jesus into everything.

The plain thing is the main thing. And the main thing is the plain thing.

Recognize the progress of revelation. The NT supersedes the OT.

Understand Hebrew poetry- the second line gives insight into the first line.

The context of a word determines its meaning. A text without a context is a pretext.

Words also need to be understood in their historical context.

Interpret difficult verses in light of clear ones.
Look for repeated words or phrases to help you discover what the author is emphasizing. The main thing is the plain thing.