Sunday, 29 March 2020 Psalm 44
For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. -Psalm 44:6
This beautiful Psalm comes in the series, with the flow of thoughts expressed in Psalms 42 to 49. The major themes carried out in these chapters vary from utter despair to songs of deliverance. These Psalms remind us of the picture of a true believer who falls at the feet of the Lord and puts his trust in the Lord and how God delivers him.
In Psalm 44, we have two broad divisions- the first part dealing with the remembrance of past deliverances (Psa 44:1-8) and the latter part dealing with the present crisis and asking God for help (Psa 44:9-26). This is a typical model prayer in times of trouble. Here the Psalmist sets of the right tone by addressing God with past victories and then puts his leg firmly on trusting God (Psa 44:6-8). Then he goes on to describe the present troubles. The prayer starts by putting the feet firmly on the fertile soil of faith by looking at the past deliverances. This is a very good practice for us also, to see the past victories and then go on to face the present. This will set the right tone of faith rising within us, rather than moan over the present situations. This will surely bring victories- (yes God is a very present help in times of trouble) but we need to approach Him in faith. Without faith we cannot receive anything from God.
The second thought to ponder in today's meditation comes from the key verse (Psalm 44:6: "For I will not trust in my bow, Nor shall my sword save me"). Faith vs self-reliance! This is an ongoing battle in the life of a believer. We are naturally tuned to seek and solve our problems in our own way. We at first do not seek to trust God and allow Him to solve the problems. In a believer’s journey with the Lord, he/she is brought to this place often in order to make us understand the importance of faith life. A person who leads a life of faith will cry out the same way as the Psalmist writes here. He will always put his trust in the Lord and hide behind the Lord. Hence the Lord becomes his shield and he himself will rest in Him. This is the safest way for a believer- his hiding place!
But for us to come to this seemingly effortless position of faith, we need to be taught by the Lord in tough ways. Most of the time, our pride gets the better of us and we try all our ways before we reach out to God. Dear reader, are you in despair and gasping for a relief? Take your shelter behind the Lord. He will not only protect you, but also brings you into victory! Till He acts, it is better for you to keep your calm and trust Him completely. He will surely bring in victories so that your heart will sing songs unto God as the Psalmist himself says in Psalm 45:1 "My heart is over flowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King, My tongue is the pen of a ready writer."
Prayer:
Dear Lord I remember the victories You have given me in my past and completely trust You to carry me through these present troubles. Into Your hands I submit my life and may Your victories adorn my life so that I will sing Your praises! Amen
Listen: 'You are my Hiding place'