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It's O.K. to be Confused
Psalm 44 basically consists of three separate acts: 1) verses1-8 remembers God's faithfulness towards past generations, 2) verses 9-16 proclaims God's lack of faithfulness towards the present generation, and 3) v. 17-26 presents the confusion of the present generation. To boil it all down, this Psalm's heart cry is, "God, why are You good to others but not me?"
We've all been there, haven't we...in that place of apparent contradiction between the goodness of God that we read about in the Bible and what we're actually experiencing in our lives. And although the Lord eventually reveals Himself as the God who "works all things together for the good of those who love Him," we can still find ourselves in that place of confusion.
Interestingly, God allows this Psalm to be exactly that, a Psalm of confusion. There's no real resolution or happy ending here. It simply ends on a confusing note. Why would God do that? Because He wants us to know confusion isn't necessarily wrong, and sometimes it's O.K. to be confused.
Wait, I thought the Bible says God isn't the author of confusion? It does say that in regard to the operation of the Holy Spirit's gifts within the church (1 Corinthians 14:33). But that doesn't mean we'll always understand His ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Confusion is a condition we're going to experience one way or another in this world, yet it's not a sign that something is wrong with us. If so, God wouldn't allow this Psalm to end this way.
It's okay to be confused about life and about what God is doing. The key, however, is to continue trusting in Him despite the confusion.
Infinite and Eternal One, we can never fully understand Your ways, but bolster our belief when the confusion comes.
Trust God through the times of confusion in your life.
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
Psalm 44 basically consists of three separate acts: 1) verses1-8 remembers God's faithfulness towards past generations, 2) verses 9-16 proclaims God's lack of faithfulness towards the present generation, and 3) v. 17-26 presents the confusion of the present generation. To boil it all down, this Psalm's heart cry is, "God, why are You good to others but not me?"
We've all been there, haven't we...in that place of apparent contradiction between the goodness of God that we read about in the Bible and what we're actually experiencing in our lives. And although the Lord eventually reveals Himself as the God who "works all things together for the good of those who love Him," we can still find ourselves in that place of confusion.
Interestingly, God allows this Psalm to be exactly that, a Psalm of confusion. There's no real resolution or happy ending here. It simply ends on a confusing note. Why would God do that? Because He wants us to know confusion isn't necessarily wrong, and sometimes it's O.K. to be confused.
Wait, I thought the Bible says God isn't the author of confusion? It does say that in regard to the operation of the Holy Spirit's gifts within the church (1 Corinthians 14:33). But that doesn't mean we'll always understand His ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Confusion is a condition we're going to experience one way or another in this world, yet it's not a sign that something is wrong with us. If so, God wouldn't allow this Psalm to end this way.
It's okay to be confused about life and about what God is doing. The key, however, is to continue trusting in Him despite the confusion.
Infinite and Eternal One, we can never fully understand Your ways, but bolster our belief when the confusion comes.
Trust God through the times of confusion in your life.
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
Scripture
About this Plan
Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1985, has grown to be one of the largest churches in the country, and now has nine regional campuses in Florida in addition to the main campus in Fort Lauderdale. The church has established and now operates dozens of ministries to answer the needs for foster care, addiction recovery, and discipleship training. The church's mission is simply, "make disciples."
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We would like to thank Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale for providing this daily devotional. For more information about the church and other media resources it provides for personal discipleship, please visit www.calvaryftl.org
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