All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. (Psa 44:17-19)
How did David stay the “apple of God’s eye?” He proved through trials that his own eye was always focused upon God. David and his men and their families endured hardship and trial after trial. Not for days or months, but for years. David proclaims that they had been broken in the place of dragons. We are not clear what kind of monster David was referring to, but the idea was that it was something that at beast had broken them, and at worse could kill them.
Some of us have endured trials so severe that death would have seemed a sweet relief. I’m sure the thought had crossed David’s mind during his years of running from the armies of Saul. But David says an amazing thing in Psalms 44. Even with all this coming upon them, they never blamed God, they never despised the circumstance they were in. David testifies that:
1. They did not forget God.
2. They did not deal falsely (treat with disregard) with God’s Covenant.
3. Their heart never turned away from God
4. Their feet did not stray from following God’s path.
Everything they went through they saw as coming from God, and under God’s control. God was breaking them, and they acknowledged His hand behind the process. Sure they saw the dragons all around them, but they saw God’s hand controlling the reins. dragongif
Jesus encouraged us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luk 10:27). David learned to do that while in the midst of dragons. He loved God with his heart (not turned back), his soul (not dealt falsely), his strength (steps not declined) and his mind (they had not forgotten Him).
Have you faced dragons, faced brokenheartedness, faced the shadow of death? Look past all of that and see Jehovah, our Covenant keeping God. Do not allow circumstances to influence your love for God. Vow within your heart to Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, even if a dragon happens to be breathing down your neck. David did, and he reigned as King. Jesus reigns, and we are seated with Him. He has slayed the dragons, so learn to praise God for brokenness, and allow your love for Him to grow. Look past the dragons into His loving eyes. He reigns. He is King. We live to serve Him.
Prayer: Lord, allow me to trust you to accomplish your brokenness in my life. Make me the servant you can use to accomplish Your will. Teach me to keep my heart and eyes focused on you and to look past the dragons of my life.
Loving the Word with the MudPreacher 