Nov 17 Daily Rhythm

Morning
Psa. 44:9-16   

But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies. You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil. You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations. You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them. You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us. You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.

Within Old Testament history, God seemingly abandoned his people for a time because of their unfaithfulness. This is called Discipline and was intended to bring about greater faithfulness. When we discipline Children, it is because we love them and want them to have a good life. Why would God discipline his people? Where have you been disciplined? Where do you fear it? Why should we want it?

Afternoon
Psa. 44:17-22 

All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant. Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way; yet you have broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death. If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

God is all powerful. The Psalmist considers all faithfulness to be dependent upon him. Ultimately it would. With the coming of Christ, God fulfills the covenant for humanity. Those “In Christ” are a part of the covenant that in founded on God’s faithfulness, not ours.

Evening
Psa. 44:23-26  

Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

Ever felt like you needed God to respond to you – RIGHT NOW! The model of Scripture is that we cry out for exactly that. Feel free…. Be motivated to do so. God longs for us to need him.