“Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth” (Psalm 74:12 ESV).
Asaph wrote Psalm 74 in the midst of national devastation. The sanctuary had been desecrated, enemies had mocked God, and it seemed as though the Lord had withdrawn His hand. Verses 1–11 essentially cried, “God, where are You? Why are You not doing anything?” Then verse 12 marked a dramatic turn: “Yet God my King…”
Asaph did not resolve his crisis by explaining why God had allowed it. He resolved it by remembering who God is and what He had done. God had not ceased being King simply because His reign was not presently visible.
The phrase “from of old” looked backward to God’s long history of saving His people. Verses 13–15 recalled His mighty acts at the Exodus. The God Israel needed in their present trouble was the same God who had delivered them before. In fact, “working salvation” is plural in Hebrew, emphasizing God’s many saving acts throughout history.
We also face difficult seasons when God seems silent and His hand is hard to see. In those moments, we can remember and declare that God is still King. He’s still on the throne.
Israel looked back to the Exodus. We can look back to an even greater act of salvation: the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we wonder whether God is still working, Calvary answers us. God has already acted decisively for our salvation, and the risen Christ still reigns.
We may not understand what God is doing now, but we can know that Jesus is our Savior and King.
PRAYER: Dear Father, when we cannot see Your hand, help us look to Your face. Help us fix our eyes on Jesus, crucified and risen, and strengthen us to confess in every circumstance that You are still our King and Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.