Psalm 44
Scripture
Psalm 44:22-26
22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you hide your face
and forget our misery and oppression?
25 We are brought down to the dust;
our bodies cling to the ground.
26 Rise up and help us;
rescue us because of your unfailing love.
Observation-What does it say?
The Psalmist is protesting that Israel had been faithful to God, yet is still feeling defeated. Verses 22-26, is basically a plea for help from God. (Reference: David Guzik commentary on enduringword.com)
Understanding-What does it mean?
The faithful ones felt forgotten by God. They felt rejected, humbled and as if God had turned His face from them.
Have you ever felt forgotten by God or that He’s allowed bad things to happen to you, when the whole time, you’ve been a faithful servant?
We are not alone. In this Psalm, the Psalmist records the faithful feeling rejected by God.
Life Application
We must keep pressing in to God, even in times when we don’t understand.
It is a popular view to correlate obedience with blessing. However, did you know that obedience can also be correlated with hardship, especially in this world?
Let’s take Job for example. He was a faithful servant of God, yet God allowed him to suffer. He allowed the enemy to throw everything he had on him, because God TRUSTED Job. Job lost his family, all his possessions and health too. Later on though, God restored everything, plus more!
How about Jesus’ disciples? All of them except John, died a martyr’s death; And then there’s the Apostle Paul. He was beaten and always imprisoned for his faith, yet they were ALL willing to suffer, die and were at peace (just like Stephen when stoned to death) because they believed wholeheartedly in their mission here on earth. I know that their eternity is anything but suffering now though.
Last, but certainly not least, there’s Jesus. He died a criminal’s death and was completely pure and innocent. However, His death and resurrection defeated sin and the grave and He is now sitting back on His throne in Heaven.
We cannot be afraid to plead our case with the Lord, but also give Him full trust if He doesn’t answer the way we think He should or in our timing. In our limited understanding, we may not always understand God’s plans or understand what He allows, but we must trust that because of His omniscience (all knowing God), He knows what He’s doing.
-Michelle Gaddi
Psalm 43-11.16.21
Scripture:
Psalms 43
1 Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation.
Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.
2 You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?
3 Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Observation:
David is struggling. And he feels like God doesn’t care. David doesn’t push his feelings down, but instead cries out to God. God – I am in pain, I am being unjustly attacked. You are my stronghold. You need to be defending me! Why have you rejected me? He is being open and honest with God. This is not a lack of faith. He is acknowledging his circumstances and feelings. But he understands that in the midst of those feelings and circumstances, he needs to push in and get closer to his God – his source of life, strength and joy! By the end of the psalm David’s circumstances hadn’t changed, but his outlook had.
Understanding:
I keep hearing about “toxic positivity.” I have to admit that my first response was, “Come on – how can you be too positive?” But the term came to mind when studying this psalm, so I decided to look it up. It refers to dismissing or downplaying negative emotions and responding with a surface-level positivity. We all go through hard things. It is a fact of life. God didn’t promise us that if we follow Him we will never experience pain. It’s ok to be sad, hurt, depressed. We don’t need to pretend to ourselves or others that we don’t have these feelings. Feel your feelings! But we do need to go to the source of our hope and joy. David says, “Then I will go to the altar of God.” He meant I will get as close to God as I can. Go to God, press in. Connect with the source of true hope and joy.
Life Application:
I love this psalm! David comes to God dejected and depressed and cries out his hurt. He acknowledges what he is feeling. Then he pushes closer to the source of true comfort and joy and reminds himself – why am I so downcast when GOD IS MY SAVIOR?? God, when I am down, sad, anxious, angry, depressed remind me to go to the altar, lay down my hurts at your feet, and declare your praises – my joy and my delight, my Savior!
-Debbie Dunn
Psalm 42-11.15.21
Scripture
Psalms 42:11 NLT
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”
Observation-What does it say?
This is a psalm of the descendants of Korah. In this psalm the author is in a state of depression. The author feels heartbroken and abandoned by God. They feel the taunts from their enemies. They long for God’s presence to be amongst them once again. They remember the “good old days” of how things used to be. But the one thing that keeps them going?..Is remembering who God is. They choose to put their faith and trust in God and give Him all their prayers, worship, and praise.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Is life bringing you down? Turn to God with a heart of thanksgiving and praise!
Life is a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs. It has its peaks and valleys. It is inevitable. We will all hit those valleys in our life. But the one constant for any believer though, is our faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus never changes. He is the same yesterday as He is today. He is always by our side. He may not always take us out of those dark situations we are in, but He is always there walking us through them (if we allow Him to). The author of this psalm has the right attitude and approach when put in these dark times. Instead of constantly complaining and being filled with self-pity and sorrow, they choose to remember God for Who He is. They remember the good times and God’s faithfulness. They begin to sing songs of God’s unfailing love for them. Then it begins to change their mindset. It gives them a heart of praise and thanksgiving. It allows them the joy and freedoms knowing that God is in control, and He will care for them and provide for their every need as long as they continue to trust and abide in Him. Their hearts that were once filled with hopelessness and sorrow, is now filled with joy and hope! 😊
“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” -Habakkuk 3:17-19
Life Application
Start off each day by focusing and thanking God for the many blessings in your life.
Why is the heart of Thanksgiving only celebrated in November? It should be remembered and practiced daily. Starting each day in prayer and thanksgiving sets our day on the right path. Being thankful, joyous, and giving praise to our Lord and Savior is the right way to start each day and give us the right mindset and attitude to attack each day. Thank You Jesus for all You have blessed me with! 🙏🏽☺️
-Moses Gaddi