You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to those all around us. You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples. (Psalm 44:13-14)
Some might read this verse and wonder why this particular sentiment should be considered “devotional”? It obviously denotes a feeling of distress at knowing the Lord had allowed His people to be subjected, not only to His correction, but also to mockery and shame. These words echo what Moses had told the people long before when he said, “You shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all nations where the Lord will drive you” (Deuteronomy 28:37). This was spoken as a warning to Israel in order to provoke them not to turn to other gods and the customs of the nations.
The fact that the psalmist acknowledged this had come to pass is also to acknowledge that Israel had done the very thing God warned them not to do. In spite of the many blessings the Almighty had bestowed upon them, they opted to investigate and eventually follow the philosophies of idol worshipers and pagans. The reason for addressing this is that, as His people, He doesn’t let us get away with certain things without stepping in and showing us the consequences of our actions. More specifically, He will allow us to experience the distasteful byproduct of our decisions in order, hopefully, to chase us back to Him. And as the psalmist points out, if that means we have to suffer shame in the process, He will allow it. So what’s the positive side of this?
Even though God will allow us to suffer the undesirable consequences of our actions, His intention is not to destroy us but to restore us. For instance, even though He allowed other antagonistic nations to come into the land and wreak havoc among His disobedient children, when they repented, He restored them to their land and dignity. Not only that, in time, He chastened those same antagonists for their sins and aggression against His people.
Finally let us also consider this: when He found Adam trying to hide among the trees of the garden, attempting to cover his shame with fig leaves, God was compassionate. Yes, Adam was put out of the garden as a consequence but God did not send him away naked — He made him clothes to cover his shame. My point is, our God is a good Father; sometimes He must be firm and disciplinary but He always has an eye on forgiveness and restoration. He doesn’t want us to be shamed before our enemies; He wants our enemies to be astounded at His goodness for those who love and serve Him. Let’s be those kind of people.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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