READ:
Psalms 44-45
Psalm 44 is set into three distinct
sections. It starts with a reminiscing section in verses 1 through 8. It is a
recounting of the magnificent works of God. During this testimony we see the
writers giving all the credit to God. If something good happened, God was
credited. The Psalmists are saying: Look
and see how great our God is!
The second section begins in verse 9
and goes through verse 16. This section is also a testimony. This testimony,
however, is not a recounting of magnificent deeds but rather a reminder of the
struggle they’ve suffered. Just like God got credit for the good things He did,
He is also getting credit for the hard things they experienced.
The final section clarifies for us why
they are suffering: simply because God allowed it. It wasn’t punishment or
consequence. The Psalmist could experience such difficulty and still worship
God, though. He says in verse 20 that if they had worshiped or prayed to other
gods for help God would have known – even if they had done it in secret.
Because God knows the secrets of their hearts (and of our hearts) they knew
they would be found out. It is one thing to suffer for dishonouring God. It is
quite another to suffer because somehow it is in God’s sovereign plan and we
will be rewarded for our faithfulness in the midst of suffering. The testimony
of God’s goodness helps carry us through the hard times we don’t understand.
Psalm 45 is a wedding song. Let’s look
specifically at verse 20. This is a message to the bride, who likely was from a
Gentile background and not of Jewish heritage. If we read this from the
perspective of the Bride of Christ we can see a strong calling to purity within
the Church. With the Church in mind, there are two specific things we can take
to heart.
The first is the instruction to forget
our father’s house. Our lineage of sin comes through the first Adam. As we
align ourselves with Christ and are married into the Bride we leave our ‘father’s
house’. We are told to forget him. We
live according to new family rules now. The marriage union one day between
Christ and the Church, gives us a new family to belong to.
The second is the understanding that
Christ is enthralled with His Bride just like this groom is enthralled with his
bride. What a joy it will be for Christ to return to His beautiful Bride! A
bride of purity and holiness. He longs to return to a bride who honours Him. As
we read the description of the bride in verses 13-15 we get a glimpse of the
glory of that upcoming wedding. What a day that will be!
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. What is your testimony of God’s
goodness? Take a few minutes to ask God to bring to light some of the great
things He has done in your life. Take time to thank God for those things.
Consider who to share your testimony with today.
2. As we prepare for the coming of Christ,
we need to separate more and more from this world and be connected to the
things of Christ. Ask Jesus if there is something you are holding onto from
your sinful nature He’s asking you to let go, forget, and walk away from. Is
there anything you need to confess? Patterns or habits that need to change?
Confess to the Lord and thank Him for grace to live according to His standards.
3. The way the Bride of Christ clothes
herself is with holiness, purity and honour to the King. Ask the Holy Spirit to
show you if there is something you can add to your life (in attitude or action)
that would bring honour to His name. Write it down and make a commitment in
prayer to follow through.
