Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Battle Scars
Read Psalm 44:1-26

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

Why did God not protect and deliver this time? Perplexity and questions crowd in when God does not repeat His past acts of deliverance.

The psalm begins with the recollection of victories that the people of God had enjoyed as a nation (vs 1-8). God’s right hand and mighty arm had acted on their behalf. Their enemies had suffered decisive defeat: ‘You drove out’, ‘You crushed’ (v 2). Israel had enjoyed God’s favour: ‘You planted our fathers’, ‘You made our fathers flourish’ (v 2).

Joyful memories of the past now give way to the painful present (vs 9-16). ‘But now’ (v 9) begins the list of present shame and defeat. Note the words that spell the state of the nation: ‘rejected, humbled, retreat, plundered, devoured, scattered’ (vs 6-11). What a long way away from the days of God’s planting.

The prophets had announced judgment on Israel for their unfaithfulness to God but apparently this particular defeat is not to be associated with disloyalty to the covenant (vs 17-22). The appeal to God to rise and come to the nation’s aid uses language not many of us would be comfortable to use with God. Bible scholars point to Mark 4:38-40 as a helpful lesson to us lest we think the Saviour sleeps and is oblivious to our distress. Take time to read and reflect on this passage.

So why is God not doing for His people what He did in the past? If it is not judgment for disobedience, then are there reasons why He allows us to go through defeat and suffering? Derek Kidner (Tyndale Commentary) points to three significant words: ‘for your sake’ (v 22) and points out that ‘suffering may be a battle scar rather than a punishment; the price of loyalty in a world that’s at war with God’.

We will not stop telling His mighty deeds of deliverance. We will continue to listen with wide-eyed wonder and worship at His feet. Through good and bad times, we will still find our hope and rest in His unfailing love (v 26).