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Daily Devotion: Psalm 74:5-6

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Psalm 74:5-6    "A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. (6)  But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers."

I had to read this a couple times to think about the message given in these two verses.  Let's read them again to think about the subject.  Solomon sent for the king of Tyre when he was preparing to have the temple built. In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 5, we see Solomon requesting Hiram to provide the labor for cutting the cedars of Lebanon, which were the best cedar trees known to man. God provided wisdom to allow Solomon to know Hiram's servants were more skilled at cutting the trees and preparing them for use in the construction of the temple. He wanted the very best of everything: cedars and laborers.  Solomon said that his servants would work side by side with Hiram's servants.

Why do I bring this account of temple preparation for this Psalm?  Let's read verse 5 again:   "A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees."  Solomon had said unto Hiram, "unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can SKILL TO HEW TIMBER (emphasis mine) like unto the Sidonians." (1 Kings 5:6)  What did the famous men use to hew the timbers? Was it not an axe?  They used their axes for something wonderful and positive, the temple of God.  But then we read in Psalm 74:6, " But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers." The very same type of instrument used to build up the temple was later used to destroy it. Axes were used to hew the timbers and axes were used to destroy those same timbers when the Babylonians came through to take Israel into captivity.

How does this apply to you and me this morning?  The writer, James, was inspired to explain today's verses to us.  "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  (10)  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." (James 3:9-10)  Our tongues can be used to exalt the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. But sadly to say, the tongue is often used to destroy others when it is misused to attack other people. Words can encourage others to be the very best they can be, but sadly, words can also cut someone down and take away all their desire to do well.

It's easy for our minds to take us to someone who we feel has wronged as we read these verses and these thoughts. James is not talking to "someone else"; rather, he is talking to me. He is talking to you. We cannot control anyone else and without the help of the Lord we cannot even control our own tongues. But let us not be those axes that are used to break down; rather, let us be the one that builds up to the glory of our Heavenly Father. Let us be careful how we use our tongues.

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