Many years ago, the sole survivor from a wrecked ship was washed ashore on a lonely Pacific Island. He busied himself and soon built a temporary home out of floating wreckage from the ship. But no rescue came. One day, after wandering around the island in search of food, he returned to his camp only to find his hut a smoldering heap of ashes. In his absence, the few possessions he had been able to salvage had been destroyed. Disconsolately he sat down by the smoldering ruins. But imagine, if you can, his delight when a few hours later, a passing ship lowered a boat and came to his rescue. It appeared that the very fire which had destroyed everything he had, was noticed by the captain of the vessel, and had resulted in his rescue.

Often what seems to us to be a dire calamity is but God’s way of giving something infinitely better. We may not understand the way he is leading now, but if we trust the outcome to Him, He will lead us in ways He knows best for us. If you are going through hard times pray over psalms like Psalm 44.

Psalm 44, one of the psalms of Korah, reminds us that the hope of the future rests in the facts of the past. This psalm speaks of the nation of Israel in a season of great defeat, calling out to God for rescue. The psalmist begins by recounting the past as their future hope. Alluding to the story of Joshua (Joshua 24:12-13), he reminds himself that it was not by their own works that these mighty deeds were done in the past. In v5 he is praying for victory over their enemies. (Our Enemies are invisible). Who is the current enemy? Where is ‘the shadow of death today’ (V19). Read v6 and add “neither shall my works justify me.”

The Apostle Paul quoted Ps44:22 in Romans8:35-36. The sense is that even in such terrible defeat and disgrace, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ or change our destiny as being more than conquerors in Him. Thus, we are reminded of the fact that those who are the people of God are called upon to endure suffering for which there is no explanation at the time, and certainly not a result of disloyalty. Such sufferings are part of the high and holy privilege of fellowship with God in a fallen world.

One of the ministries of suffering is to drive us to prayer (Heb4:15). Deity makes a difference in a difficulty. Better any sorrow with Him than every joy without Him. The psalmist had the depth of relationship with God to speak v23 freely, and God had the love and grace to not only hear it, but also to record such a prayer in His word. The psalmist openly spoke his feeling that God had forsaken and forgotten a faithful Israel. He did not actually believe that God was asleep, but it felt to him so. This feeling or sense was powerfully captured when Jesus slept in the boat on the stormy Sea of Galilee. The disciples feared they would perish and cried out for Jesus to awake. Although the picture of the sleeping Lord in v23 may seem naïve to us, it was acted out in the New Testament in the life of Jesus and His disciples.

The psalmist has stated Israel’s problem as clearly and strongly as possible in v26. We might expect him to be angry with God or to lose hope. Instead, the psalm leaves him with trusting God even in his pain and disappointment. He made his final appeal NOT based on what Israel deserved, but for the sake of God’s covenant (chesed) lovingkindness (NASB).

The final verse is a short, but sweet and comprehensive prayer, much to the point, clear, simple, urgent, as all prayers should be. Note this psalm’s magnificent last word.