Recap: The whole nation is suffering, presumably as a punishment for its sins. However, the Psalmist, who feels innocent, is perplexed by his personal suffering. This particular psalm is unique because it seeks a reason for the nation's disaster that goes beyond their own guilt. The Psalmist finds an answer, declaring: "We are being killed for your sake," which suggests their distress is part of a larger, worldwide battle against God and his chosen King. The New Testament later uses this concept to explain why the Church is persecuted, asserting that it ultimately will be victorious.
| 44:23 | Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? | |
| Arise! Do not cast us off forever. |
Awake and 'Why do you sleep?' are idioms using human languages. Theologically we know God does not sleep, however, the experience of the Psalmist is that God seems not responding. Such an experience is possible when sin separates us from the active fellowship with God. Such as state is unbearable to one who had experience the warmth of fellowship with God. In such a situation, the Psalmist all the more calling God to restore the broken fellowship.
| 44:24 | Why do You hide Your face, | |
| And forget our affliction and our oppression? |
His prayer continues in the form of a question asking God why He is hiding his face. Hiding face is symbolic of no favor and displeasure. Those days when the king turn his face convey his intense displeasure. He also ask why God is forgetting his suffering and oppression by then enemy. This also points to a broken fellowship and the Psalmist longing to restore that fellowship. One may wonder why God seems hiding his face and forgetting our plight. Scripture asserts that it is not a absolute rejection by God. But it helps to appreciate the value of His fellowship when it is restored.
Prayer: Our loving and gracious heavenly Father, I worship you and praise you for you allow such painful experience in my life, not because you have abandoned me, but because you want me to know how valuable is the relationship that you have with me. Also, Father, it show how serious is my sin that takes away the active fellowship You have with me. Lord, I pray that, when such situation come, help me not go into irrecoverable depression. Instead, I pray for the grace to cling on to you until the fellowship is restored. Amen.