Past, Present and Future

Psalm 44 is a cyclical Psalm.

It begins with God's great deeds of old on behalf of His people. The Psalmists knows of them but has not yet experienced them.

Psalm 44:1–3 (ESV) O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: 2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; 3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.

Then he speaks about his trust in the Lord...
Psalm 44:4–8 (ESV) You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! 5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. 6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. 7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah
But from here the Psalm turns. It focuses on the fact that God seems absent and uncaring. In fact, this is one of the most difficult parts of the Bible to read:
"You have rejected us"
"You have sold your people."
"You have made us the taunt of our neighbors."

That's hard to read from someone who is a part of God's covenant people and has not turned away from the Lord. Psalm 44:17 (ESV) All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant.

I wish the Psalm ended with good news, but it doesn't. It says, Psalm 44:26 (ESV) Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

 And yet perhaps there is a hint of good news here. The Psalmist expects God to rise up and help in spite of how he feels. 

 We learn some things from this Psalm that are important:
1. It's okay to express frustration with God.
2. There will be times where we will be frustrated with God.
3. Present frustration should not choke our faith.

 Yet in spite of what we do or do not see or feel, we MUST still cry out to God, our only hope. Our feelings should never trump our faith in God. Our present should not dictate our future. And what we go through should not shut us up. PRAY! CRY OUT! Expect the God who loves you to come and save you... once again.



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