Psalms 44:23-26 (ESV Strong's)
23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
24 Why do you hide your face?
Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
our belly clings to the ground.
26 Rise up; come to our help!
Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!
Repentance in Humility Leads to Restoration
Psalm 44 is all about how the souls and spirit of the nation of Israel is low and cast down. They are discouraged. They have been disciplined by the hand of God. God has sold them into slavery. The writer of this Psalm is pleading with God to change their course. He is morning over the right things in life. Jesus said this about mourning:
Matthew 5:4 (ESV Strong's)
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
We are comforted when we mourn - when we mourn for the right reasons. God has promised us comfort if we mourn over our sin. In the above portion of Psalms 44 we see that the writer is bowed down to the dust. He states that they belly is clinging to the ground. Then and only then can he ask for forgiveness and God’s mercy and grace. But, note, that the reason for this hope is not his/her repentance. The reason for this is because of God’s steadfast love. The writer knows that forgiveness is not BECAUSE he is humble, but the humility allows God’s love to flow back into his life. Repentance through humility releases God’s love into our lives.
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