Confused While Suffering

Psalm 44:13, 17-18: "You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us . . . . All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant. Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path."

Earlier in Psalm 44, the sons of Korah presented an interesting passage of reflection upon God's love for His people . . . a love manifesting itself in the deliverance of His people from all sorts of enemies. These sons remembered how their fathers were delivered, "not by their sword or arm; it was His (God's) right hand, His arm, and the light of His face" that brought deliverance. These sons continued by saying their boast would be all day long for God (44:8) for it is God that brings victory.

Then one finds an interesting switch in presentation, revealing that God has now rejected and humbled his people resulting in others plundering them. They no longer seem to be victorious over their enemies; rather they are receiving the "scorn and derision of those around (them) [44:13]".

One would think that there was unconfessed sin which was the reason for the removal of God's favor; however, in 44:17-19, we find these perplexing words: "all this happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant. Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals and covered us over with deep darkness. If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it?"

It seems that there was no under girding sin which was the reasoning for God's noticeable absence leading to the sons' defeat by their enemies. God had chosen to remove Himself from their lives, and the sons of Korah did not understand why. They presented their actions before God to explain that if sin were found in their lives, they would understand God's abandonment. Now, they stood defeated by their enemies and scorned by the world; yet they yearned for God's hand of favor upon their lives. They concluded the passage with a plea that God not reject them forever but remember them in their misery and oppression. They urged God to remember His unfailing love for them.

So, the sons of Korah, with "downcast souls" (43:5) were resolved to put their hope in God and praise Him, despite their circumstances.

God's absence was not punitive in nature, but was designed to strengthen His people to depend upon Him alone. God was using these experiences of pain and defeat to grow His people to a point of knowing the blessing of pain, leading to utter faith and dependence in Him alone. God wanted these sons to never forget that His unfailing love is always constructive and best, though not always painless.