Daily Devotions
Psalms
Psalm 44:9a "But You have cast us off..."
Day 25 – Psalm 44
“But You have cast us off…” Psalm 44:9a
A DRASTIC CHANGE
A drastic change of tone is clearly noticed in the following text. From a contemplation of a glorious dignified past, the next segment sees the psalmist contemplating “a devastating present”.
“But You have cast us off and put us to shame,
And You do not go out with our armies.”
Psalm 44:9
Three terrible negative features were noticed. The psalmist struggled intensely with these problems as he faces them.
1. “But You have cast us off”
a) The difference between the past and the present was stark and startling.
b) God had driven off the Canaanites once before.
c) Now it seems as if God was casting off Israel.
2. “And put us to shame”
a) Shame of face was felt keenly.
b) A great sense of ignominy was cast over the whole nation.
b) Instead of the Lord’s favourable countenance, there was now wrath.
3. “And You do not go out with our armies”
a) God’s presence was withdrawn.
b) He did not go into battle with Israel’s armies.
c) Defeat by the enemies was inevitable.
REMEMBERING THE OMINOUS WORDS OF WARNING OF MOSES
Moses had solemnly warned Israel that it would utterly perish should it ever act corruptly in the Promised Land. This warning was issued again and again, but Israel seemed bent on defying the solemn words of warning (Deuteronomy 4:25-28). But there was always the hope of returning to God if there was genuine repentance from sin (Deuteronomy 4:29).