The trouble with monsters is they’re hard to control once they get loose.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Texas War Lord)
“But these men revile (scoff and sneer at) anything they do not happen to be acquainted with and do not understand; and whatever they do understand physically [that which they know by mere instinct], like irrational beasts—by these they corrupt themselves and are destroyed (perish).”
–Jude 10 (Amplified)
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In this day of attempting to destroy history and the legacy of the past this Psalm rings out. This first part of Psalm 44 is a reminder of how God helped in the past. How the nation conquered the pagan lands with the help of the Lord. Just ponder verse one, “our ancestors told us.” My, how important that is. First, we think about the history of the events and people of the time. Second, we see the importance of the elders in the family passing down stories to the younger family members. I wish now that I had spent more time questioning my parents and grandparents of the past.
1 – God, we have heard with our ears—our ancestors have told us—the work You accomplished in their days, in days long ago:
2 – to plant them, You drove out the nations with Your hand; to settle them, You crushed the peoples.
3 – For they did not take the land by their sword—their arm did not bring them victory—but by Your right hand, Your arm,
and the light of Your face, for You were pleased with them.
Whenever we feel abandoned we are to remember how God helped our ancestors in the past, how He subdued enemies in the past. Surely if He did so in the past He will be with each one of us. We need that same power and that same guiding light in our lives today. If God helped our parents and grandparents, won’t He surely help us in the midst of our troubles today?
4 – You are my King, my God, who ordains victories for Jacob.
5 – Through You we drive back our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies.
6 – For I do not trust in my bow, and my sword does not bring me victory.
7 – But You give us victory over our foes and let those who hate us be disgraced.
8 – We boast in God all day long; we will praise Your name forever. Selah (HCSB)
It is God that brings the victory. “Victory results from God’s activity and not ours; therefore, trust and praise are due Him.” (George O. Wood) It is clearly seen that the victory is always the Lord’s not ours. What our fathers did in the past was due to the guiding hand of God. When we are weak we cannot trust our strength and that is when we realize that we must trust in the Lord.
In this time of turmoil, strife, and doubt we need to understand that God has not changed and that He is with us through every trial and circumstance. As evil in the world grows, God is in control. As there are more and more attacks on the Word of God, God is in control. When these things reach out to strike at your faith, God is in control.
Be thankful for those who have gone before. Learn from their lessons and their experience and their faith that God is the answer; has been and will always be. I have told my kids and grandkids that trust in God is the key to life. Always trust Him even when you do not understand. If there was one thing I learned from my Grandma and Aunt, that was trust; and if there was one thing I would pass down it would be trust.
“I am trusting thee to guide me–
Thou alone shalt lead,
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.”
–Frances R. Havergal