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The Day After: When You feel abandoned, rejected!
Rod ShimabukuroPsalm 44:5 Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. 6 I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; 7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. 8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
The beauty of this passage points us to praising a God who gives us victory, not through our own strength or power. It is our trust in God, through Him he gives Israel victory over their enemies. BUT!!!! While verses 5-8 reference the truth of God’s character, the entire Psalm is a disheartening, plea and crying out to God. The questioning of God’s justice and faithfulness is being called into question.
One commentary (NICOT) notes: God’s faithful people suffer even though they have done nothing to deserve suffering. They cannot reconcile their life experiences with their understanding of who God is and how God acts. Thus we read the lament of a community of people who find themselves in circumstances beyond their understanding, people accusing God of violating the covenant promises.
Can you imagine how the disciples felt, the day after Jesus was crucified, placed in a tomb, sealed by a large stone, with guards insuring no one tampering with the body of Jesus?? The sorrow, abandonment, questions, insecurities, possible doubts - OF ALL THAT JESUS taught of being the Messiah, Son of God!!??
Being a follower of Jesus on this side of the Resurrection life and revelation, that He is alive - is an advantage for me. But there are still times “I wonder why?” Why God, do you allow the injustices, sufferings, etc - in people’s lives? It just doesn’t seem fair. This is the context of Psalm 44 - and the context of may people, even Christians today!
But thank God! This Psalm is written to help me realize, it’s ok to cry out, question, doubt God’s leadership. That’s what I get out of it. It’s human. I don’t want to live consistently with that mindset.
Dear God - I trust You. I want to trust You, even when I don’t understand. I’m grateful for Your faithful, loving, just character. I can - I will…trust You. But help me to not remain in doubt, worry, fear for anything that comes up in life.
Thank You for this word - for helping me to feel at rest in You - even when it seems that I don’t trust, love, or have enough faith in You. Oh I love You O Lord!
