Of Raw Emotions and Audacious Requests

Proposition: Expressing our emotions to God commences the cathartic process.

Ms. Corona is changing our lives dramatically. For instance, for us in the teaching field, Faculty Members and students have become zoomers overnight. I am a non-techie person, so I needed to learn online platform to deliver my classes. Also, we have to make some changes in the way we structure our classes. Since the lockdown, I use the first hour to give a brief devotion then allow for some sharing time. My students and I relate what we are going through to help us process. And Psalm 44 is the second devotion that I shared in class, which I will now share with you.

Psalm 44 is an example of a national or community lament. Israel went to war; but they were defeated, big time. The Psalmist records the experience. It can be outlined as follows: The Psalmist reviews God’s awesome works when He settled their forefathers in the land (1-3). The Psalmist affirms that God is his king, who delivered and gave them victories in times past (4-8). The Psalmist laments that God rejected and scattered them among the nations (9-14). The Psalmist himself feels humiliated even though he argues that the nation did not reject, disobey, or turn unfaithful to God (15-19). The Psalmist reminds God that He would know if the nation rejected Him to worship other gods (20-22). The Psalmist commands God to wake up and redeem the nation on account of His chesed, loving loyalty (23-26). What I just read is a bird’s eye view of the chapter.

Let me point you now to some select topics within Psalm 44:

The Realities of the Psalmist (9-16)
Defeated in battle (9-11)
Delivered and sold at a cheap price (11-12)
Mocked and a byword among nations (13-16)

One difference between the Psalmist from us is that he saw his enemies. Ms. Corona cannot be seen with the naked eye at 70-90 nm. It’s microscopic. You do not know it hit you, until you have it. Sadly, some people died without knowing what hit them.

The Questions of the Psalmist (23-24)
Why are you sleeping? (23)
To “sleep” is for God to be inactive or not give attention to His people.

Why are you hiding your face? (24a)
To “hide face” is for God to withdraw His presence and blessings from His people.

Why are you ignoring our afflictions and oppression? (24b)

Question 01: Is it okay to ask God, why?
The Psalmist did. So, it is okay for us to ask God why. I must hasten to add that you may ask any question, sky is the limit; BUT DO NOT question God’s character and sovereignty. Do not allow these questions to move you away from God or lead you toward rebellion and unbelief. When you feel you are moving in this direction, talk to someone else.

Clarify Exod 15:20-27, especially verse 24. “Murmur” or “grumble” translates the Hebrew word lun. In the context of Exodus, underlying this attitude of grumbling is a rebellious heart that questions the character and purposes of God. It verges on unbelief.

The Feelings of the Psalmist (9, 13-16, 24-25)
Rejected (Heb. zanach) by God (9, cf. 23)
Humiliated (13-16)
Forsaken (Heb. shakach) and therefore depressed (Heb. shuach) (24, 25)

Question 02: Is it okay to express how I feel to God in times of crisis?
The Psalmist acknowledged and expressed his emotions to God without inhibitions. Acknowledging and expressing how we feel before God is one step toward healing. Express these emotions, especially the negative ones to God, not your children or spouse. They themselves may be struggling to cope up with the situation. If there is anything that they should see in this time of crisis, prominent should be kindness and grace.

The Audacious Requests of the Psalmist (23, 26)
Arise (Heb. ’ur) and do not sleep! (23a)
Wake up (Heb. qits) and do not reject (Heb. zanach) forever! (23b)
Rise up (Heb. qum) to redeem (Heb. padah) us on account of your chesed! (26)

Padah can mean redeem, buy out release, ransom. I chose the word redeem over save and deliver as it connotes the idea of restoration to an ideal or the original state.

Question 03: What did the Psalmist command (as indicated by the imperatives) God to redeem the nation from? Based on what they were experiencing: the move from defeat to victory; sold to being bought back; humiliation to honor; absence of God to presence of God; ignored to remembered of God; healing from depression.

My Audacious Requests

My requests, which I shared to my students in OT 602: Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Exegesis class are as follows: (1) The living God will kill and destroy Ms. Corona virus. (2) He will heal everyone who has been infected with the virus. (3) No one will go hungry during this time of crisis. Everyone will be provided for.

Question 04: How about you? What are your requests to God in relation to this pandemic?

Proposed Action Points:

1. Acknowledgement of feelings before God as this is one step toward catharsis and healing.

2. Admission of idolatries committed if any, be it personal, community, or national.
   Clarify Psalm 44:20-21.

3. Audacious requests: What three things would you ask God that only He can do?

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