HOLDING ON, NOT HOLDING OUT –

After sharing David’s psalm on how he felt being exiled due to Absalom’s treachery, the composers of the Psalter share another heartfelt psalm of someone exiled in Babylon. They too missed God’s sanctuary and His visible presence embodied in the Ark of the Covenant as much as David. Many calamities had befallen God’s people, but none worse than being carted off into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Yet the Psalmist had reason to believe that although God was not speaking to them because of their disobedience, He was not far away and would respond to their cry for help.

“O One True God, our ancestors told us all about You and what You did for them. They shared stories of the wonders You performed on their behalf many years ago. They told how You personally helped them succeed in a world that despised them; even becoming more successful than those who opposed them and ended up taking their place. They were quick to admit that their achievements were not due to their talents or abilities; rather, it was Your personal involvement; Your smile of approval, and Your favor that opened doors. That’s why You alone are my King or One True God; just say so and things will happen to bring believers the victory. For with Your help we can stop in their tracks those who persecute; and because You are who You are we will overcome those who are trying to silence us. We don’t trust our talents and abilities to get the job done; You’re the One who gives victory and keeps those who don’t like us from putting us down. That’s why we celebrate You all day long as the One True God, and why I worship You more and more because of who You are.” Psalm 44:1-8

Reflection: At the beginning of WWII, German Nazis rounded up thousands of Jews and sent them off to concentration camps. There, they suffered unimaginable hardships, barbaric torture, and died hideous deaths. As Hitler’s Secret State police, the Gestapo, rounded up unarmed Jewish men, women and children, herding them into boxcars to be sent off to concentration camps and crematories, as they terrorized every city. Many Jewish families hid in attics, forests, caves, hoping not to be discovered. One Jewish family huddled in horror in the basement of their home in Cologne, Germany. But they were discovered and hauled away to receive cruel punishment, just for trying to avoid capture. After American troops entered the city of Cologne searching for snipers, they stumbled into the cellar where these Jews had hidden. There, they found the Star of David drawn on the wall; and underneath were these words: “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when there’s no one there. And I believe in God, even when He is silent.” Thank God believers today are not compelled to hide because of all the persecution and opposition they face. But if it did happen, would the place where we took refuge reveal these writings on the wall: “We walk by faith, not by sight. For faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.” Just as the farmer foresees his crop before it ever grows; and the fisherman envisions his catch before he ever hauls it in; and Olympians imagine their gold medals before they ever hang around their necks; so by faith we may visualize that crown of righteousness before it’s ever set on our heads. 11/17/12