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Psalm 44:9-16 (JDV)

Psalm 44:9 You have even rejected and disgraced us; you do not march out with our armies.

Psalm 44:10 You make us retreat from the adversary, and those who hate us have taken plunder for themselves.

Psalm 44:11 You hand us over to be eaten like sheep and scatter us among the nations.

Psalm 44:12 You sell your people for nothing; you make no profit from selling them.

Psalm 44:13 You make us an object of reproach to our neighbors, a source of mockery and ridicule to those around us.

Psalm 44:14 You make us a joke among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples.

Psalm 44:15 My disgrace is before me all day long, and shame has covered my face,

Psalm 44:16 because of the taunts of the scorner and reviler, because of the hostile one and the one taking his vengeance.

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I have been looking at this psalm and thinking about the current debate over government control of gun use. There are lots of opinions floating around on the issue, and lots of evidence on either side. But what I am looking for is a biblical perspective.

In the previous sections, all the sons of Korah talked about was the past victories God had brought them through. The focus was on the fact that although their fathers had used swords and bows, they recognized that God was the source of their victory.

This section of psalm 44 takes a different turn than the first two. The focus is not on past victories but current shame and disgrace. God gets the credit for that too. They say the Lord has handed them over to violence and oppression, and made them a laughingstock to the other nations.

The issue of national pride comes into the discussion over gun control. Many feel that the right to bear arms is one of the fundamental principles that has made America a great nation. Many others are ashamed of what they see as idolatry – trust in weapons no matter how dangerous. They want to see America as great, but feel ashamed that such a great nation cannot even discipline itself to protect its citizens from gun violence.

Both sides of the gun control debate feel the shame, and the Christians who hold those views wonder why God has abandoned them to this plight.

Lord, help us to trust you and make wise choices, in spite of the shame we feel.