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Day 26

Psalm 44:10a "You make us turn back from the enemy..."

Day 26 – Psalm 44

“You make us turn back from the enemy…” Psalm 44:10a

DEFEAT IN BATTLE

In war, victory and defeat must be expected. Success in battles depends on many factors. But to face defeat after defeat should cause any army to ponder its cause. The psalmist could not but feel the sadness and the stress of seeing Israel’s army flee from its enemies.

“You make us turn back from the enemy,
And those who hate us have taken spoil for
themselves.”
Psalm 44:10

Two ignominious defeats suffered by Israel would serve to illustrate this solemn truth.

1. The Battle against the Amalekites and Canaanites in the days of Moses

a) The presumptuous battle against the Amalekites and Canaanites (Numbers 14:39-45).
b) Moses warned against certain failure in this battle because the Lord’s presence would not go with them (Numbers 14:43).
c) Israel was humiliated by the defeat suffered at the hands of the enemies (Numbers 14:45).

2. Battle against Ai in the days of Joshua

a) Israel was unable to conquer this small city of Ai.
b) Instead it suffered a shameful defeat (Joshua 7:1-9).

RECOGNITION OF GOD’S DIVINE INVOLVEMENT

Israel had to learn that success or failure in all ventures was linked to God’s involvement. The psalmist could not but note sadly the plight of Israel because of defeat.

1. “You make us turn back from the enemy”

Was there defeat? God’s hand was there too! It was God who had allowed Israel to be defeated. It was God who had allowed the victory to go to the enemy!

2. “And those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves”

Taking spoils of war was a natural and accepted practice in ancient rules of warfare- ” To the victor belongs the spoils of war.” A nation can be badly devastated when it loses a war. The victor can pillage and burn the property of the defeated nation. Very often enemies were fueled by cruel hatred towards their enemies. Israel suffered greatly when it lost its battles. The nation was impoverished because the victorious enemies had taken much spoils of war.