Psalm 44:4-8 The Providence of God in our Present

As the sons of Korah write psalm 44, the nation of Israel is undergoing tremendous turmoil. We don’t know exactly what that turmoil entails. It could be the invasion by some foreign nation, or the failure of Israel’s armies in some foreign conquest. Either way, the armies of Israel have been soundly defeated by their enemies, and Israel’s God has been put to shame.

Many secular people would abandon God in such a time, but not those of faith. During this time of suffering, the sons of Korah remind themselves that God is still sovereign; He is still working all things out for the good of those who love Him. Just like it was in the past, God’s Providence is still powerful in the Present.

Please read Psalm 44:4-8.

These words are all the more powerful when we think of the turmoil that Israel was experiencing as these words were being written. While Israel’s armies were being soundly defeated by their enemies, while Israel’s king was being routed in battle, the sons of Korah look to God and declare “You are my King, O God!”

God would later declare “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!” (Isaiah 31:1).

And David boldly declared, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7).

Well, that may have been true in David’s time, but it apparently wasn’t true in the time of the sons of Korah. While these faithful men were living, Israel put their trust in their armies... and then the armies were wiped out! Such a catastrophe was a wake up call for God’s chosen people. It led to their poets declaring that Israel could only have victory if God ordained their salvation: “through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But you have saved us from our foes.”

While the army was failing, the people were reminded that their only hope was in God. The only reason that they were still alive was because God was fighting for them. What a powerful reminder to us today! There is nothing that can save us from the evil in the world.

Most of us do not trust in literal chariots and horses to save us, but we often trust in the modern incarnation of them: money. We think that, if we can just build up enough of a financial safety net, then we will be prepared for whatever comes our way. Yet, we can never amass enough wealth to protect us from sudden calamity. We can buy life insurance, but God is the only assurance of life. We can buy securities, but God is the only security for the believer. We can invest in various stocks, but heavenly treasures are the only treasures that will endure.

God is still sovereign today; even when the bank account is empty; even when the debt collectors are calling; even when the pain is chronic. Let us not trust in chariots or horses; let us trust in the Lord and boast in Him continually.