Psalm 44:1-8

1 O God, we have heard it with our own ears— our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day, in days long ago:
2 You drove out the pagan nations by your power and gave all the land to our ancestors. You crushed their enemies and set our ancestors free.
3 They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them.
4 You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel.
5 Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes.
6 I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me.
7 You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us.
8 O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name.
Interlude

The song Ruby Tuesday opens with these lyrics "She would never say where she came from. Yesterday don't matter if it's gone"

The song is reflective of a philosophical doctrine we call "Nihilism". Nihilism suggests we ignore one or more meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. Our modern culture is saturated with this thinking. It's not a good thing.

Think about it...

History is one of the greatest contexts we have for making sense out of what is happening today. That's why George Santayana said "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". So therefore, Ruby Tuesday will never become more mature than she is now (or was in 1966). Don't smirk, but 1966 is the year I graduated from High School. I sure hope I'm a different...and better...person than I was then.

I know I am because yesterday matters. All the yesterdays matter. I can look back and see my progress...by the grace of God.

Which is exactly what our author is doing in psalm 44. He says "O God, we have heard it with our own ears— our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day, in days long ago: You drove out the pagan nations by your power and gave all the land to our ancestors. You crushed their enemies and set our ancestors free".
Knowing the facts of our history is critical, but interpreting them correctly is just as important. Our Psalmist could have dryly recounted how the nation of Israel conquered Canaan but he chose to understand those facts in the light of God's sovereignty. He continues by saying "they did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them".

How should this influence you and me?

As we take stock of our lives there are so many things to consider. How we got to today is one of those critical commentaries. The reason I think its so important is this: Without recognizing the sovereignty of God in our history one of two bad things will happen.
1. If life is good, we will convince ourselves we got here under our own steam.
2. If life is bad, we will convince ourselves we have no hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Yesterday matters...and it's not gone. The residue of our past lingers in our spirits for a lifetime. That's a good thing. It's how God designed us. It's how we keep track of God's faithfulness. It's how we are able to proclaim with david "You are my King and my God".


I know life can be painful. There are parts of our past we would like to forget. Let me encourage you to avoid falling in to that trap. The cost is way too high.

Live boldly out there today...