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Day 234

Psalm 83:16a "Fill their faces with shame..."

Day 234 – Psalm 83

“Fill their faces with shame…” Psalm 83:16a

PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER

Asaph persevered in his prayer efforts. Much was at stake. Israel was in danger of being slaughtered by its enemies. Many would die. Many others would suffer greatly unless God delivered His people from this grave danger.

“Fill their faces with shame,
That they may seek Your name, O LORD.”
Psalm 83:16

1. “Fill their faces with shame”

What did Asaph mean by this phrase? Let us ponder the following thoughts carefully.

a) The opposite of “shame”
i) The enemies were filled with “arrogance” when they plotted the demise of the nation of Israel (Psalm 83:4).
ii) They were filled with great “self-confidence” that they could destroy Israel.
b) The experience of “shame”
i) Through failure to accomplish what they had planned.
ii) Through defeat at the hands of a smaller nation like Israel.
iii) Through defeat by the Divine Hand of God’s wrath.

2. “That they may seek Your name, O LORD”

This is an important phrase to take note of. It reveals an important truth about the heart of Asaph.

a) Asaph was not vengeful or vindictive.
b) He did not take delight in the death and destruction of Israel’s enemies.
c) He held out the hope that the enemies of Israel would somehow be struck by shame and perhaps even turn to God.
i) In this respect he was different from Jonah.
ii) He would have liked the enemies to seek the name of God.
iii) If they could truly repent from their wicked ways they could be redeemed.
iv) Asaph’s kindness of heart must be noted even though he prayed strongly.