The Bible is not propaganda. Unlike some governments that share only positive reviews, Scripture records the words of people who are frustrated with God. Psalm 44 begins by remembering conquests that inspire trust in Him. “O God . . . our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day. . . . You crushed their enemies and set our ancestors free” (Psalm 44:1-2). The psalmist concluded, “You are my King and my God” (Psalm 44:4).
But something had gone wrong. The psalmist complained that God no longer defended His people: “You have butchered us like sheep and scattered us among the nations. You sold your precious people for a pittance” (Psalm 44:11-12). The reader assumes that Israel must be guilty of some sin against God, such as idolatry. But the psalmist says no. “All this has happened though we have not forgotten you. We have not violated your covenant” (Psalm 44:17).
What gives? The psalm concludes by imploring God to wake up and rescue His people, because “for your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep” (Psalm 44:22). God inspired the descendants of Korah to write this lament, then left it unresolved for a thousand years. Its anguished cry gave generations of God’s children a model for the way to respond when they felt they’d been wrongly treated. Even Jesus encouraged us to keep knocking (Matthew 7:7-11).
It’s appropriate that Jesus weighed in, for His resurrection finally resolved this lament. Paul quoted Psalm 44:22 in Romans 8:36-39, declaring that though “we are killed every day,” nothing—not even death—can separate us from the love of Jesus. God’s love is stronger than death, and it’s strong enough to bear our lament. Cry out to God; He has big shoulders.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 29:14-30
More:
Read Job 3:1-26 to see a first-class lament.
Next:
Do you think God is letting you down? Tell Him about it, and then worship Him for who He is.
Tom Kopper on January 19, 2015 at 7:36 am
“Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants” (psalm 116: 15).
Gary Shultz on January 19, 2015 at 8:29 am
Well, yes He does have big shoulders. I’m not sure after a “what gives” do we want to be there. I have grown to like the “what gives” in life. Because I know God is working deeper as Tom says we are precious in God’s sight, so we must look deeper. In saying that we must know God still has us as “the apple of His eye”; faith is requested at a higher level and then I think we can rest on those arms or shoulders after we have rested the question of “what gives”. God’s will and ways, not always immediately understood by us. Thanks . By the way I know you know this stuff just a different view.
Mike Wittmer on January 19, 2015 at 10:14 am
Note that it’s not our death that God loves, but us who do the dying. We are precious to God, and so He cares deeply about our lowest, most excruciating moment.
Tom Felten on January 19, 2015 at 10:55 am
Thanks for these reminders, Mike. There are hardships and losses in life that defy explanation. But, praise God, we can bring our pain and grief to God and simply spend time with Him. Jesus wept. God’s comfort and compassion is real.
seeking777always on January 19, 2015 at 12:11 pm
For me Psalm 44 to me is more of a call to repentance than anything else. It reminds me that inspite of free will all of us have a deep desire within to serve God and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
The last few verses make me think that the writter is seeking Gods direction. Inspite of all that the writter previously said he sill comes back to says “rise up and help us, rescue us because of your unfailing love”. NIV, verse 26.
Winn Collier on February 1, 2015 at 7:50 am
I find it helpful to return to the Psalms whenever my language about God (or to God) grows too nice or stale. It’s a shocking collection of prayers, isn’t it?