 O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: 2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; 3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. 4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! 5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. 7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah 9 But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies. 10 You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil. 11 You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations. 12 You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them. 13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us. 14 You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. 15 All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face 16 at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger. 17 All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant. 18 Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way; 19 yet you have broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 21 would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. 22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! 24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. 26 Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! Meditation Authentic faith trusts God when there are more questions than answers and more fear than faith. Jesus cried out in question from the cross (using Psalm 22:1) and Paul admonishes Christ’s followers to live in faith without question of God’s covenant care during seasons of persecution and pain (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)- using this Psalm to strengthen Christian martyrs who are “more than conquerors” through God’s sovereignty and steadfast love (Romans 8:35-37). Praise and protest rise from a heart of faith trusting God during difficult days. The nation is described as sheep scattered for slaughter (11), taunted by other nations, and a global laughing stock (13-14). God does not explain the suffering and the worshipper cannot discern why God seems to have turned His face away (17-18, 21). The hard driving question, “Why are you sleeping!?!” (23) empowers endurance by reminding believers that God will never leave or forsake His people. With the disciples who shook our Savior during the storm, seeking to wake Jesus up for safety (Mark 4:38-41), we realize the Lord’s presence is enough. We may not understand, but we are safe with Jesus- the wind and the waves still obey His word. In Christ’s covenant care, believers celebrate: -Hope in God’s proven faithfulness (1-3). -Trust that God is a faithful King (4)! -Security in God’s promises and presence above the powers of this world (6). -Confidence that God can calm the storm, redeeming what He allows for the sake of His steadfast love (23-26). Fear is transformed to faith when we trust God’s sovereignty and steadfast love during seasons of struggle and suffering. Praise is mingled with protest in prayer when we are secure in God's providential care. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the depth of protest and praise flowing from a persecuted people? -Why is it difficult to trust God during seasons of struggle and storms? Is His promised presence enough for you? Why or why not? -How does the fact that Christ endured suffering and death on our behalf give you strength to endure suffering and death for His name? Where (specifically) do you need to apply this reality to your journey of discipleship? Key Verse 23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
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