Psalm 44:1-3, 20-26 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 44:1-3, 20-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1We have heard with our ears, O God, our ancestors have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:
Verse 2you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;
Verse 3for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm give them victory; but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your countenance, for you delighted in them.
Verse 20If we had forgotten the name of our God, or spread out our hands to a strange god,
Verse 21would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
Verse 22Because of you we are being killed all day long, and accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Verse 23Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not cast us off forever!
Verse 24Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
Verse 25For we sink down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground.
Verse 26Rise up, come to our help. Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love.
Devotion
As I write this, Paul Harvey’s death is in the news. His radio career left a legacy of heartwarming stories that always had a surprise ending. His familiar phrase was, “and now you know…the rest of the story.” We live our lives between Good Friday and Easter. As one writer suggested, we are Saturday people. We contemplate our sinfulness with humility and a contrite heart. We place ourselves at the foot of the cross and pray that God will not hide His face or forget our misery and oppression. Luckily for us we know “the rest of the story.” We know that there is an Easter Sunday, a celebration of the event that changes everything for us and for our world.
Prayer
Lord, help us to fully realize ourselves as Saturday people who live as sinners who have been redeemed. Amen.