WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15
Psalm 44:1-26
Job 1:1-22

“… the LORD gave,
and the LORD hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD.”

“THOUGH HE SLAY ME, YET WILL I TRUST IN HIM”

Psalm 44 is easily divided into (I) Israel’s past victories under God (vv 1-3); (II) Israel’s trust in God in the present (vv 4-8); (III) Israel’s seeming abandonment by God (vv 9-16); (IV) Israel’s trust in God reaffirmed (vv 17-22); (V) Israel’s supplication to God renewed (vv 23-26). The words of Job which we have borrowed for the title of this Psalm are appropriate, for the sentiments of the Psalmist amidst Israel’s sufferings are akin to Job’s.

The Psalmist here remembers how Israel’s past victories over the Canaan tribes were wrought not by their own prowess but by the power of God. “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever” (Ps 44:8). In the same vein must we ascribe to God our past achievements, yea, even the good inheritance from our fathers who first became Christians. Whatever we have today comes from His Hand.

Now, Israel, instead of conquering, is being conquered! They turn back in battle (Ps 44:10), they are scattered like sheep among the heathen (Ps 44:11). They are sold into slavery for a song, so they are derided by their neighbours. They are a shame to themselves in the face of those who blaspheme God. Now all these things that have occurred to Israel, as we trace to the roots of the matter, come by God’s permissive will. God uses the hands of enemies to chastise His people. As the sin of Israel is not mentioned, these circumstances may be seen in the light of Romans 8:28. God allowed Satan to chastise Job, not for his particular sins, but for proving his integrity. Not all troubles and calamities that befall us are on account of our sin, but for God’s higher purpose. When our sky is dark with clouds, look at the silver lining and the sun behind with eyes of implicit faith. The devout will say, “All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant” (Ps 44:17). Israel “for thy sake are … killed all the day long …” (Ps 44:22) attests to a godly generation under persecution. How these verses describe the true and faithful of the house churches in China under Mao’s Cultural Revolution.

THOUGHT: I must not lose faith in God under any circumstances.
PRAYER: (Use Job 1:21.)