Psalm 44 The victories in the past, for Israel, were not accomplished by their own swords... "But Thy right hand and Thine arm, and the light of Thy presence."  The King pushed back their adversaries.  They did not trust in their own weapons, but "In God we have boasted all day long, and we give thanks to Thy name forever." (v8)
And yet, the psalmist goes on to say,  it seems that You have forsaken us.  The enemy is winning.  We are being defeated, scattered, sold... we are laughingstocks.   "Rise up, be our help, and redeem us for the sake of Thy lovingkindness."  Come to our rescue once again!

Isn't this how our lives go?  We can look back and see how God worked everything out in the past.  We are thankful. We give Him praise.  And then all of the sudden... boom... we are once again in the middle of a disaster.  The enemy is winning and we are sinking fast.  We think we are still walking in the Lord's way, we haven't forgotten Him. We know that  ".. he knows the secrets of the heart."
(  v21).  But, we are dying here. Wondering where He went.

Verse 22 "But for Thy sake we are killed all day long. We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
 This is quoted in Romans 8:36, right in the middle of one of the most wonderful messages of hope that Paul ever wrote:

"What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?

He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Just as it is written, 'For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities , nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD."

When things look bleak, remember that our Redeemer lives!  When we feel like sheep being led to the slaughter, remember that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God! He is our Shepherd!  When it feels as if the enemy is gloating, remember that Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, "intercedes for us".  

God is not in hiding.  God is not dead, He is surely alive!!!!!  Believe the voice of Truth!  He is for us! He is with us! He is still in the business of redemption.  Of rescuing His children from sin, despair, and hardship.  It is still His arm, His right hand, and the light of His presence that will save us. Hear this truth and cling to Him. Be convinced like Paul was, that there is nothing that can keep God's love from reaching us. 

Father in heaven,  how holy and blessed is Your Name.  May Your Name be praised and honored among us today.  May Your kingdom be seen and expanded today as others are drawn to Your love and righteousness.  May Your will be done today.  Your desire is for us!  You don't want anything to keep us from Your love.  The struggles in this world are always present.  There are tribulation; and 

distress overwhelms us.  There is persecution and famine and sword... but You have made us conquerors through Jesus Christ!  We run to You.  We cling to You.  O Lord, strengthen our weak faith, that we might also say with Paul, "I am convinced" that nothing can come between us and Your love. May we boldly boast in You all day long!  For You are worthy of our praise and thanksgiving. 

You love us.  You redeem us.  You rescue us.  You are our only hope.

Thank You for the Word of Truth that brings us into Your presence once again. 

Amen.