The Only Power Over You

Psalm 44

The Psalmist reflects that in times of victory, the real power was the Lord’s, fulfilling his purpose. Things have turned sour in the context of writing. There’s been some sort of national defeat. The intensity of the anguish involves seeing the Lord in this turn of things (verse 9). He protests that the nation has not turned on or away from the Lord.

The hope in this comes at the point of the most pain. This situation might be easier to wrestle with if it were not seen as the hand of the Lord. But where would that leave him? Where would it leave us if the attacks in life were things the Lord were completely separated from? It would mean those things would be what have power over us. As it is, he at least is acknowledging God’s control over things. If there is to be any hope in circumstances beyond our control, where is strength, help and hope going to come from? From the circumstances? From us? What/Who does that leave? Exactly.

The reason for trials is usually and frustratingly impervious to our perception. We yet have the Lord. Even if he has had a hand in our trials, the maturity of faith knows that that ultimately can only be good.

Prayer:
Grow me up Lord, to trust in your workings, and to begin to see even the outline of your shape in my life. Through Christ. Amen.