Observation: As the psalmist laments the destruction of Israel, he declares that there is "nothing left" that proves they are the chosen people of God. He clarifies this by stating that the prophets, who might have been able to discern from the Lord when the hardships would end, are all gone.
As I consider this, I see two ways of interpreting the statement that there is "nothing left to show that we are your people." The first is that all the physical elements of worship have been destroyed. With structure and items removed, there are actually no items that exist to prove their selection by the Lord. The second is that the Lord himself has removed himself from the situation, as evidenced by the fact that his word is not present in the form of any prophet.
The first of these is an earthly matter, and is flawed if true. The Lord's blessing is not dependent on physical evidence, procedural structures, or any other material item in the world. The second of these is a true issue, for it indicates the Lord has departed from the people. It is the Lord's presence, and his Spirit, that is the very heart of his blessing, and if that is removed, then there is truly no evidence of a relationship between any people and the Lord.
Application: I take encouragement in this today for this fact ... I know people with clear gifts of prophesy and other gifts of the Spirit. I know and see how the Lord works in our community. By this I know ... there is still proof that we are the people of God.
Yes, I wish issues were resolved, conflicts were removed, individuals were corrected, groups were given peace, and all people knew the truth. However, I know the Lord is with those who love him, and those who place their faith in Jesus. This is all I ever need to know that the Lord is with us, and that I am a person chosen by him.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your truth and for your Holy Spirit. I sincerely wish to have more of your Spirit. May I live in you, walking humbly with you, this day and every day. Amen.
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