God’s love remains constant and eternal, unaffected by our shortcomings. However, it is crucial for us to pass on this everlasting love to future generations and ensure that they regard it as a valuable inheritance. In ancient times, the love of God was faithfully transmitted from one generation to another, serving as a source of inspiration and guidance. Regrettably, present-day children may not always view their elders as role models, prompting a reflection on whether we have effectively shared the remarkable deeds of God with them.
The Ancestral Heritage
We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. With your hand, you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors; you crushed the people and made our ancestors flourish.
It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
Psalms 44:1-3 (NIV)
We know that Korah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, rebelled against the leadership of Moses and Aaron, ultimately facing swift divine punishment. However, it’s worth noting that the recordings attributed to the sons of Korah might predate Korah’s revolt. These facts about God could have been told to the descendants of Korah before their father’s rebellion against God. The sons of Korah were fortunate to have ancestors who meticulously passed down the accounts of God’s mighty works throughout the generations.
Through the lens of their ancestral heritage, the sons of Korah witnessed firsthand the awe-inspiring acts of the Lord. Their ancestors attributed their victories not to their own strength or strategies, but to the unfathomable love, grace, and power of God. This understanding allowed the sons of Korah to approach their own trials and tribulations with faith and confidence, knowing that the same God who had delivered and protected their ancestors would be their source of strength and salvation as well.
Owning The Inheritance
You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through you we push back our enemies; through your name, we trample our foes. I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Psalms 44:4-8 (NIV)
The Sons of Korah were a group of talented individuals who were renowned for their deep understanding and connection with the love of God. In the Psalm, we witness the Sons of Korah embracing this legacy of faith and wisdom, as they intentionally choose to remember and reflect upon the profound encounters their fathers had with God. Despite facing challenging circumstances in their own time, they find solace and encouragement in the stories, praises, and teachings passed down through the generations.
This poignant reflection allows them to momentarily set aside their present difficulties and immerse themselves in the powerful narratives and encounters of their ancestors. By doing so, they reignite the flame within their own hearts and souls. So, let us immerse ourselves in the rich spiritual heritage that has been passed down to us from our Father through His Son Jesus. Let us find comfort, strength, and inspiration in the teaching of Jesus to continue our journeys toward eternity.
Confident In Our Righteousness
The portion of this Psalm specifically verses 9 to 16, serves as a poignant reflection of the Psalmist’s current state of helplessness. It highlights the recognition that even in the midst of adversity, it is crucial to remember the miraculous protection and guidance that our ancestors experienced. This prompts us to consider whether we choose to express gratitude to God for His boundless goodness in the face of our own struggles, or if we inadvertently exaggerate the misfortunes that befall us. By recalling the triumphs of the past, we are reminded that they should not remain mere memories but rather serve as a catalyst for us to actively seek and emulate the intervention of God that our predecessors had encountered.
All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant. Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness. If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant. Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness. If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?
Psalms 44:17-21 (NIV)
In verse 17 and onwards, the Psalmist discerns the capabilities of himself and his people by juxtaposing them with the accomplishments of their forebears. In this qualitative evaluation, the Psalmist finds no deficiency in their adherence to the teachings and practices of their ancestors. This comparison serves as a catalyst for the Psalmist’s confidence to approach God. Consequently, prior to describing their present predicament, the Psalmist recognizes and acknowledges the rich legacy left by their forefathers.
Subsequently, the Psalmist candidly presents their distressing circumstances before God, seeking clarification for the apparent setback despite their righteous conduct, akin to that of their ancestors. The Psalmist demonstrates a keen awareness that lies and deceptions are futile before the omniscient gaze of God, who perceives the hearts and minds of individuals, leaving no secrets concealed. It is a cautionary reminder for those who may errantly believe they can conceal their transgressions from God.
God forgave our sins two thousand years ago by laying them on His Son as an atonement. When we talk to God about our problems and acknowledge our helpless situation, the assurance about God’s forgiveness helps us feel closer to Him. This is important because some people think they are sinners and deserve punishment from God. But we need to remind ourselves that we are forgiven children of God. Having confidence in our righteousness is not the same as being self-righteous.
If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him (1 John 3:20-22).
For Your Sake, We Suffer
Yet for your sake, we face death all day long;
Psalms 44:22-23 (NIV)
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.
Even when a person experiences hardship as a result of their own errors, they may perceive it as a form of suffering for their devotion to Jesus. Religious individuals often believe that any act of defending their religious principles is a service to God. As mentioned in the book of John (16:2), “They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.” Therefore, followers must reflect on whether their suffering stems from their own mistakes, their religious convictions, or their opposition to their devotion to the living God. If their afflictions result from their faith in the living God, Jesus proclaimed, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
The penitent thief on the cross demonstrated a profound understanding of his own transgressions. He acknowledged that his suffering was a result of his own mistakes, and he rightly attributed the sufferings of Jesus to His righteousness. It is important to exercise caution when attributing our sufferings to Jesus, as it may be more accurate to identify the principles and practices of our religious traditions as the root causes. Jesus did not endure suffering to form or guard a religion but to show the way to reach God to the people who are stuck with their respective religions.
The situation of the Psalmist is similar to Jesus, who went to the Cross like a sheep being slaughtered. When a righteous person suffers for their righteousness, they remain calm, knowing that God will take care of the situation. If someone publicizes their suffering as a result of their faith in Jesus, it may be fake. Believers should understand this and not be convinced that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life because of these fake performers.
God’s Unfailing Love
Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?
Psalms 44:24-26 (NIV)
We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground.
Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.
In the Psalmist’s contemplation, he found solace in the understanding that his misfortune and oppressions were not a result of his own wrongdoing or a lack of faithfulness to the legacy of his ancestors. Instead, he placed his trust in the unwavering love of God, setting aside any self-righteousness. This newfound realization led him to embrace a more profound faith, seeking to experience the depth of his forefathers’ devotion. With this understanding, he fully surrendered his burdens to God, confident in His unfailing love.
In order to navigate the challenges of the world, it is not enough to simply revere the spiritual experiences of our ancestors. One cannot master the art of driving by merely listening to tales of their forefathers behind the wheel. True expertise is attained by immersing oneself in the company of both skilled and flawed drivers, learning from their triumphs and mistakes alike.
Similarly, we cannot inherit the legacies of our legends solely through stories of their victories. Instead, we must earnestly strive to embody their faith and preserve the spiritual standard. In the face of great adversity, let us draw inspiration from the words of Hebrews 12:2: “For the joy set before Him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.“
May God help us to focus on the joy of being with Him in His Kingdom, instead of being distracted by the trivial things of this world.
The Jordan Valley 
Reply