Repent, Saints, as the World Burns

Babylon has attacked Jerusalem (586 B.C.). The City of David, the Temple of Solomon, destroyed. The land ravaged. The people killed or displaced. “O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. They have given the dead bodies of Your servants for food to the birds of the heavens, the flesh of Your godly ones to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem; and there was no one to bury them. We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and derision to those around us” (Psalm 79:1-4).

How do the ruined people pray?

They repent of their own sins, appealing to the mercy of the God of salvation for the sake of His glory and name, vowing to offer Him thanks and praise throughout future generations: “Do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us; let Your compassion come quickly to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake...so we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture will give thanks to You forever; to all generations we will tell of Your praise” (79:8,9,13).

Remember: our hardships and trials in this world don’t atone for our sins before a holy God. He hears the prayers of those who repent and call on His name. “Repent” is His first command to us in the Gospel (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; 6:12; Luke 13:1-5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; 26:20; Romans 2:4), and it is the gateway into His deliverance.

Gather with His people in Christ this today and praise Him with great praise Who grants us the gift of repentance (Acts 5:31; 11:18) and abundantly pours out His mercy and grace for His great glory.