Passage Read: Psalm 43-46
Meditation Verses: 44:17-19
Thought
How often it has been that those who follow after the Lord faithfully suffer for it! It is not always the case, but it seems to be more often than not. The psalmist here is aware of no fault, no error that they have committed, yet it seems the Lord has abandoned them. They suffer at the hands of their enemies, but they do not believe they have done wrong. Not unlike Job. The tests, the purity and genuineness of our faith is truly of greater worth than gold. It is easy to worship, praise and obey the Lord when things go well, when the rewards come immediately. But what about when all goes sideways when we obey the Lord, when we do as He directs? Will we remain faithful? Do we believe the Lord because of what we get out of it here and now? Or do we believe Him because He is God, Creator and Lord of all? Because He is worthy of obedience and honor, whether good or ill comes our way?
Application
My circumstances don't change who God is. I may have expectations of Him, as if I'm owed this or that because I do what He asks. But I would be wrong. He owes me nothing, except what He has promised me. As my Maker, I owe Him everything, whether He does anything for me or not. I'm grateful that He is a good and faithful God, but He's not obligated to give me my reward in this life. In fact, He has every right to test the genuineness of my faith before He chooses to reward me. It is discouraging to suffer at the hands of others for doing what God asks of His people. But I wouldn't be the first. Those who love Him and have served Him faithfully have suffered far more than I ever have in His service. I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have received the desire of their faith. I must not bring them or my Lord shame because I give up over a little discomfort or because I didn't get what I wanted when I wanted it. There are harder things ahead for God's people. If I can't put up with a little suffering now, how will I endure what lies ahead?