Consider Where You Are With God

(Psalms 44:9-16) But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies. You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil. You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations. You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them. You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us. You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.

(Romans 11:1-6) I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

God's love and mercy for His people extends far beyond their ability or intentions to honor and obey Him. In order to contend with open rebellion, God will at times—when necessary—take His own to a place where it seems as though He has forsaken them. If you ignore God and continue to disobey or ignore His commands, He will disgrace you, strip you of all you have and care for, allow the natural consequences of your actions to take their toll on you, and humiliate you in front of your enemies and the brethren.

These are extreme measures and are never God's first choice. They are not done in anger or frustration but with a specific purpose in mind: repentance! God will not be mocked nor will He be ignored. God executes this type of discipline for one of two different reasons. Either you have strayed so far from His Word that it is necessary to get your attention and get you back on track, or His assignment for you is so important to the Kingdom that He will not allow you to stray too far or for too long.

If you find yourself in the type of situation described in today's Psalm, stop and consider where you are with God and what His purpose is for your life. Regardless of the circumstances, stop what you are doing and get yourself right with God—regardless of the cost. At the same time, remember that it is all out of the extreme love God has for you and is ultimately to save you from ruin.

Questions For Discussion

Why does God allow His people to go through severe and extreme difficult circumstances?

Does God ever reject or turn away from His people?

What are the two main reasons for God executing extreme discipline?