Psalm 80:6
You have made us an object of derision to our neighbours, and our enemies mock us.
We saw yesterday that God's people's suffering at the time of this psalm was a direct consequence of them turning away from him. It's bad enough that their rebellion caused them to lose their land and its blessings. But here we see that they also lose their reputation. Their neighbours laugh at them. Their enemies mock 'Thought you were God's special people, did you? Hasn't done you much good, has it?!' But to mock God's people is to mock God. If the reputation of God's people suffers, it reflects badly on God himself. Can't he protect them better? Has he changed his mind about his promises to them? Why, then, does God do this? Why risk his reputation and honour among the nations?
Perhaps we see the answer to that when we remember another time when God's chosen one was made an object of derision. At the cross, Jesus' enemies mocked him. In
doing so they were mocking God himself. Why let that happen? Why let the one who deserves all glory, respect and praise be ridiculed? 2 reasons. Firstly, out of love for us. In the time of the palmist, God disciplines his people in
order to bring them back to him. He accepts temporary dishonour, for his people and his own name, so that they can be restored. At the cross, Jesus is disgraced so that we can be forgiven. But secondly, just as importantly, it’s
for God’s own greater glory. At the cross it seemed for a moment that God could be mocked. Yet because of the cross we discover that he is greater than we ever
imagined. He is more gracious, more faithful, more loving, more forgiving, more righteous than we realised. The temporary disgrace only magnifies his glory. So, let's praise our glorious God today.
