Our Daily Scripture – 1/10/24 (Wed)

SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 44

MEMORY VERSES:

 “In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.” (Psalm 44:8)

“Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.” (Psalm 44:26)

THE PSALMIST RECALLED THE PAST OF WHAT GOD HAD DONE FOR THEM:

  1.  With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers. (v. 2a)
  2.  You crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. (v. 2b)
  3.  It was your right hand and arm and the light of your face that they won the land and achieved victory. (v. 3)
  4.  You decreed victories for Jacob. (v. 4)
  5.  Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. (v. 5)
  6.  You gave us victory over our enemies and put our adversaries to shame. (v. 7)

THE PSALMIST PRESENTED THEIR CURRENT SITUATION:

  1.  God had rejected and humbled us. (v. 9)
  2.  We retreated before the enemy and were being plundered by their adversaries. (v. 10)
  3.  We were being devoured like sheep and were scattered among the nations. (v. 11)
  4.  We were made a reproach to their neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around them. (v. 13)
  5.  We were being the byword among the nations and the peoples shake their heads at them. 9v. 14)
  6.  Our face was covered with shame and disgrace. (v. 15)
  7.  We were crushed and made a haunt for jackals overed with deep darkness. (v. 19)
  8.  We face death all day long and were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. (v. 22)
  9.  We were brought down to the dust and their bodies cling to the ground. (v. 25)

PRAYER OF THE PSALMIST:

  1.  Awake, O Lord!  Why do you sleep? (v. 23a)
  2.  Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. (v. 23b)
  3.  Do not hide your face and forget our misery and oppression. (v. 24)
  4.  rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love. (v. 26)

THOUGHTS:

The nation of Israel was in crisis because it seemed that God had forsaken His people and helping the enemy.  They were scattered, shameful and being scorned.  The Psalmist recalled the past and continued to trust in Him when he said: “Our hearts had not turned back; our fee had not strayed from your path” (v. 18).   Then he called on God for deliverance.  What will you do when it looks like God has abandoned you?  First – remember what God had done for you in the past.  Second – Trust in Him alone.  Third – Remain faithful even you cannot fully understand your circumstances.

The Psalmist presumed that maybe God was asleep.  That was why he said: “Awake, O Lord!  Why do you sleep?”.  In the New Testament, Jesus’ disciples wondered why Jesus was asleep when they needed his help during the storm.  In both cases, Jesus was ready to help but he wanted first to build faith in his followers.