IT WAS THE LORD
PSALM 44:3-8
PSALM 44:3-8 NKJV
3 For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword,
Nor did their own arm save them;
But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance,
Because You favored them.
4 You are my King, O God;
Command victories for Jacob.
5 Through You we will push down our enemies;
Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.
6 For I will not trust in my bow,
Nor shall my sword save me.
7 But You have saved us from our enemies,
And have put to shame those who hated us.
8 In God we boast all day long,
And praise Your name forever. Selah
OBSERVATION:
This is a Psalm that calls to mind what God did for His people Israel.
It was God who gave them the promised land, and it was God who enabled them to take it from the people living there. Israel could not boast about their fighting skills or military strategy. The credit and the glory belonged to God.
Then the tone of this psalm changes and becomes personal instead of historical.
You are my King, O God. The psalmist declares that the same God who helped Israel back in the day will help Israel now.
No longer trusting in their own strength, Israel's strength is still in God, who saves and beats down their enemies.
Israel's strength is in God. Israel's victory over their enemies is through God. Israel is strong because God is strong.
So Israel's boast will be of God. And God is the One to whom all praise is directed.
APPLICATION:
If you want to annoy some people, try boasting in God and what He has done. Or even better, try boasting about what the Lord will do to help you.
For some reason giving glory and credit to the Lord bothers people. I have tried to give credit to God for what He has done at The Ark. You would be surprised at the people who ignore the idea of giving God the credit and praise. They say things like, yeah, but you worked hard. Or yeah, but you deserve it.
Both responses are out of place. When anyone gives God credit and glory and boasts about Him, our response should be to offer praise. Or simply agree.
It was the Lord who saved us, redeemed us from our enemies, and gives us victories in Christ. Not us. Regardless of how awesome you are, God is far greater and more awesome.
Don't look at me. It was the Lord.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord. You are my strength and my victory. I boast about You, not me.