Daily Devotions
Psalms
Psalm 83:18a "That they may know..."
Day 236 – Psalm 83
“That they may know…” Psalm 83:18a
A COMPELLING PHRASE
Asaph used a powerful and compelling phrase as he drew his prayer to a close.
“That they may know…”
Psalm 83:18a
This phrase was used repeatedly in many places in the Old Testament. Let us take time to study this very significant phrase.
1. It was used by the Lord Himself with reference to Israel
a) Knowledge of God is deeply prized.
b) Israel in Egypt did not have a clear or deep knowledge of God.
c) God promised to deliver Israel out of Egypt.
d) Through this great and miraculous act of deliverance Israel would then know God.
“Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God…”
Exodus 6:7b
2. It was used by the Lord with reference to Pharaoh and the Egyptians
a) Pharaoh had rejected the words of Moses.
b) He refused to heed the admonition of Moses but chose to harden his heart instead.
c) God then went about sending 10 plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7-12).
d) God made this significant declaration
“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD,
when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring
out the children of Israel from among them.”
Exodus 7:5
3. Recognition of the Lord God of Israel
Can people recognize the hand of God and acknowledge Him? Let us look at how the magicians in Pharaoh’s court responded to the plagues of God.
“Then the magicians said to Pharaoh,
‘This is the finger of God.'”
Exodus 8:19a
4. Essence of Asaph’s prayer
Asaph’s great desire was for all to acknowledge the LORD for the Powerful God that He is. Man should stand in awe of this great and mighty God!