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Psalm 44:4-8 Language of lament

Good afternoon fellow servants,

As the year draws to a close, we are completing 4th month of the reading plan.  Hang in there if you have not been able to read everyday.  Mental assent that every word of scripture is God breathed is just the beginning.  When you start to read and the Spirit teaches is when the authority of scripture becomes real in your life.

Blessings,

Jeff

First third of this psalm ending in v 8 is praise..  Last two thirds are "Why have you deserted us?"  What is going on with the writer?  

By recalling the past (distant and recent), psalmist is stating that God does not change.  The God who did all these wonderful things in the past is still with His people.  Psalmist isn't "longing for the good old days".  

He is giving us an example of "pour out your heart to Him".  God knows our frame, that we are dust.  He does not expect us to "put on a happy face" when we are in difficult times.  We do well to remind ourselves that He doesn't change, but does not require us to hide our feelings and doubts.

Through the psalmist, God gives us language of lament, not just praise, thanksgiving and supplication.  We err when we ignore this God given expression.  God prepares us for those times when the righteous will suffer weakness, insults, persecution and calamities.  

Instruction - Prayer is not a formula.  It is a spiritual discipline.  It does not come naturally.  I can learn from prayers of others, but ultimately must learn to express for myself to the Father through the Son with the help of the Spirit.  There is always another facet that I haven't discovered.

Thanksgiving - As part of your plan of salvation, You give the gift of prayer for daily reception of Your benefits.  Relationship with the Creator of the ends of the earth.

Confession - Ignoring Your benefits, thinking that I can get along fine without daily prayer.

Petition - your people would become familiar with the language of lament.

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