Rouse yourself!
Why do you sleep, O Lord?
Awake, do not cast us off forever!
Psalm 44:23
Re-read yesterday's devotion. It is also from Psalm 44.
It talks about discouragement that’s also in our world today.
Though written 3000 years ago, it uncannily reflects some of the ways that we have defocused our lives -- at least collectively in America -- on God.
Now read some of the rest of the psalm. Modern America has not quite reached the extent of this pit. Nevertheless, see if it doesn't describe how many of us are feeling today about our world and about our nation:
9 Yet you have rejected us and abased us,
and have not gone out with our armies.
10 ... and our enemies have gotten spoil.
12 You have sold your people for a trifle ...
13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
the derision and scorn of those around us.
15 All day long my disgrace is before me,
and shame has covered my face
23 Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord?
Awake, do not cast us off forever!
24 Why do you hide your face?
Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
25 For we sink down to the dust;
our bodies cling to the ground.
26 Rise up, come to our help.
Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love.
Sound familiar?
Israel did prosper again. The discouragement did not last forever. But it started with faithful people, crying, "Rouse yourself, O God."
In Christ's Love,
a guy who want
to start the cry
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