You Got Me!

All this has happened though we have not forgotten you. We have not violated your covenant. Our hearts have not deserted you. We have not strayed from your path. Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home. You have covered us with darkness and death. If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods, God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart. But for your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep. [Psalm 44.17-22]

All what happened? The verses preceding this passage define clearly real pain and suffering.

"Aha!" one might say to all my ranting in this blog about pain and suffering only being punishment for sin. "Oh yes," I might reply, "you've got me here! - they said they were innocent!"

However, I might also encourage the one who calls me out here to at least consider what Psalm 44 is about - or, more precisely, who wrote it - where it came from...

Psalm 44 is a psalm (song) of the descendants of Korah. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Korah led an ugly rebellion against Moses.

Without getting too technical, it must be considered that sin follows generational lines. Otherwise, Adam's sin would not be upon us. In the same say, Korah's sin would also follow generational lines. My point is this, the passage above makes a statement claiming innocence. But, how can that be? First, the descendants of Korah are descendants of Adam. Secondly, they are descendants of Korah!

The Word is clear about those who claim they have no sin... And, here is the deal: denial of guilt never got forgiveness for anyone!

For me, I will accept my duty to repent. I don't despise this duty, but accept it. Jesus was clear that there is forgiveness of sins for all who repent. At the end of the day, forgiveness is what I want and what I need. So, I will repent. May I never be found making claim to innocence!

Father, forgive me for ever considering myself innocent and undeserving of any pain and suffering I experience. Instead, may I be found repentant so that forgiveness and healing might flow freely. AMEN.