Arise and Redeem Us! (3)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 44.1, 2
We have heard with our ears, O God,
Our fathers have told us,
The deeds You did in their days,
In days of old:
You drove out the nations with Your hand,
But them You planted;
You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out.

Sing Psalm 44.1, 2, 23-36
(Faithfulness: Great is Thy Faithfulness)
O God our ears have heard, ancients have taught us, all that You did for them long years ago,
how by Your hand You defeated the nations, and to the promised land let Israel go.
Refrain vv. 23-26
Rise up, awake, O Lord! Hide not Your face from us,
see our affliction, our suffering and pain!
See how our soul is sunk down with oppression;
Rise up and help and redeem us we pray!

Read Psalm 44.1-3

Preparation
1. What events in Israel’s history were the psalmists recalling in these verses?

2. How did they know about these events?

Meditation
Paul explained that we may find comfort by recalling the works of God in the past (Rom. 15.4). In Psalm 44, the people of Israel were – or were about to be – experiencing separation from God and persecution from enemies. At such times, we must turn to the Lord. By remembering His works in the past, we remind ourselves of His faithfulness, greatness, power, and love. Thus we are emboldened and encouraged to seek His comfort and help for our own times of need.

The sons of Korah knew about the mighty works of God in the past because their “fathers” had told them (v. 1). It falls to the fathers and mothers of God’s people to make sure that the generation that succeeds them are full taught concerning God, His works, and His salvation. The home is the front lines for mission for the people of God. Our duty is to teach our children all the great works of God and His Word, both as households and communities (Ps. 78.1-18). This is no guarantee that all our children will receive such teaching. Yet their unwillingness to learn the things of the Lord does not excuse us from our duty to teach.

When we find ourselves or our churches entangled in the world, ensnared in spiritual lethargy, and enfeebled in our mission and calling, we must look to the record of God’s work in the past. He has led His people to victory over and over; and remembering His great works will give us comfort and hope in our times of separation from Him.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, the deeds You did in their days, in days of old…” (Ps. 44.1)

“The home is the front lines for mission…our duty is to teach our children all the great works of God and His Word…”

How sweet it is to be able to say with the psalmist: “Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever” (Ps. 119.152), because the generations preceding me took the command to tell the next generation seriously.

And how sweet to hear Paul say to Timothy: “when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also…
and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1.5; 3.15).

How lovely it is for us to remember the goodness of God and His wonderful works and Word; then to share with those we love, our dear children, that they too will hear and know that God loves and favors them. (Ps. 44.3).

Let us never forget to remember and tell.

Reflection
1. What are some of the best ways you have used for teaching children?

2. Why is it so important that we understand and remember the works of God in the past?

3. Why is the home “the front line for mission”?

Former experiences of God’s power and goodness are strong supports to faith, and powerful pleas in prayer under present calamities. The many victories Israel obtained, were not by their own strength or merit, but by God’s favor and free grace. The less praise this allows us, the more comfort it affords, that we may see all as coming from the favor of God. He fought for Israel, else they had fought in vain. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Psalm 44.1-8

Closing Prayer: Psalm 44.17, 18, 23-26
Thank God for His covenant and promises. Thank and praise Him for your trials and tribulations. Rejoice in His salvation, and pray that God will arise to help you throughout this day.

Psalm 44.17, 18, 23-26
(Faithfulness: Great is Thy Faithfulness)
All this has come on us, but we remember: You are our covenant God and our King!
Turn back our hearts to adore and extol You;  Lord, keep our steps as Your praises we sing.

Refrain vv. 23-26
Rise up, awake, O Lord! Hide not Your face from us,
See our affliction, our suffering and pain!
See how our soul is sunk down with oppression;
Rise up and help and redeem us we pray!

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.