I Have Not Forgotten You

Psalm 44

For ones who are suffering or even facing martyrdom.

(Reading time 3.7 minutes)

Within Psalm 44 there are countless, insightful treasures in how to sustain a heart during suffering. These golden nuggets of wisdom direct us into a faithful heart of love that remembers our God Who spoke holy vows to us in an everlasting covenant.

“You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to those all around us. You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples. My dishonor is continually before me, and the shame of my face has covered me, because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles, because of the enemy and the avenger.”

“All of this has come upon us and we have not forgotten You and we have not dealt falsely with Your covenant. Our heart has not turned back and our steps are not deviated from Your way. Yet, You have crushed us…and covered us with the shadow of death.”

Psalm 44:13-19

Oh the beauty of a suffering heart that remembers the tender affections and promises of her God. Oh the endearment of the Bridegroom God Who gave His hand to us in an everlasting covenant of compassionate love, justice and faithfulness.

The sons of Korah, the authors of Psalm 44, are not strangers to feeling crushed. Their father Korah, a Levite, led a rebellion and their young eyes saw the earth open and swallow their father and friends alive after Moses prophesied the earth would open and carry them to Sheol. Yet, the Lord spared the sons of Korah. (Numbers 26:11)

These sons knew suffering and loss, yet, while in pain they were magnificently struck with and molded by the fear of the Lord.

“If we had forgotten the name of our God or extended our hands to a strange god, would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the hearts. But for Your sake we are killed all day long.” Psalm 44:20-21

God is able to discern the desires and intentions of each heart. We can deceive ourselves and others, but Yeshua, Who is Truth, knows our hearts and cannot be manipulated to believe anything less than what is real.

The sons of Korah grasped God’s omniscience, knowing even the secrets of their hearts. Through the Spirit of the fear of the LORD this knowledge hedged them in to only seek after Elohim and love Him wholeheartedly.

Making known His unfailing love, they grew to be consumed with yearning for God. Their “tongues were pens of a ready writer.” (Psalm 45) As they sang prophetic songs of God’s beauty and of their desire for Him, verses were brilliantly composed that have gone on to transcend ages and generations.

“As the deer pants for water so my soul longs for You, O God. …When can I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1 -2

“My heart overflows with a good theme… You are fairer than the sons of men. Grace is poured upon Your lips.” Psalm 45:1-2

“My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:2

The pleasures of the Presence of God awakened a determination to be close to Him and an unadulterated desire for Him that churned within. Yearning for God shined brightly, and this light was not diminished when they were “crushed.”

Being crushed like a rose, the sweet-smelling incense of worship was drawn out of them “delighting the heart” of God. (Proverbs 27:9) This aroma of love as strong as death permeates through the firmament, satiates the courtroom of God and delights God’s soul.

Prayer

Yeshua, strengthen the hearts of those who are suffering or even facing martyrdom. Help them remember You. Fill them with the Spirit of the fear of the Lord. In Your mercy capture their desires and ignite the flame of Love within them, the love as strong as death, unyielding as the grave, the very flame of Yah that cannot be quenched.

The Shulamite’s Song of God’s Beauty

My Revelation on the Island of Patmos: Part 3c of 5

In Song of Songs 5:10-16, the Bride of Messiah describes 16 attributes of her Beloved God that reveal why she is lovesick for Him while in the midst of crisis. A prayer format was used so you too can pray these attributes in a time of suffering. Scriptures were used to interpret the poetic language in the Song of Songs.

In this post I unfold four more of Yeshua’s alluring attributes: majestic countenance, merciful and just; deep compassions; and Yah establishes.

Majestic Countenance

“His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars”

Song of Songs 5:15

“מַרְאֵהוּ, כַּלְּבָנוֹן--בָּחוּר, כָּאֲרָזִים”

Bowing low at the presence of Your towering majesty, You spread Your beautiful boughs around me and hide me in Your forest shade.

Branch of the Lord lift the glorious light of Your countenance upon me again!

Friend of the broken and weak, You humbled Yourself and became a servant; therefore, You have been exalted to the highest place.

Your heights penetrate the clouds, far above all others. You are the envy of all great nations. They live in Your shadow.

Tree of Life, no tree in the Garden of God is equal to You in beauty.

Merciful and Just

“His hands are rods of gold set with beryl (emerald)”

Song of Songs 5:14

“יָדָיו גְּלִילֵי זָהָב, מְמֻלָּאִים בַּתַּרְשִׁישׁ”

An emerald rainbow encircles Your Throne trumpeting Your eternal charity. The wise turn and are saved from the punishment of the grave.

As in the days of Pharaoh, You extend Your soothing, nail-pierced hand before Your golden scepter executes justice for the oppressed.

Omnipotent Sovereign, Holy King, You are dreadfully terrifying to Your enemies.

Yet, while I was a sinner, Yeshua, You died for me. Your mercy triumphs over Your judgement.

Deep Compassions

“His bowels are carved ivory inlaid with sapphires”

Song of Songs 5:14

“מֵעָיו עֶשֶׁת שֵׁן, מְעֻלֶּפֶת סַפִּירִים”

In the secret places deep within, living Word of God, Your emotions stir for me.

Though I am weak and broken Your tender compassions, rare as the ivory, well up from Your innermost being, and You command Your lovingkindness over me.

I am undone.

You yearn for the one whom You cut covenant with. With depths like the sapphire sea the yearnings of Your heart call out to me.

Deep is calling out to deep. I am calling out to You as Your roaring waterfalls of love come crashing over me.

Yah Establishes

“His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold”

Song of Songs 5:15

“שׁוֹקָיו עַמּוּדֵי שֵׁשׁ, מְיֻסָּדִים עַל-אַדְנֵי-פָז”

Rock of Ages You have the magnificence and strength of the pillars in the temple named Yachin (meaning “Yah establishes”), and Boaz (meaning “strength”).

You alone have the strength to establish what You planned before the foundations of the Earth. Every prophecy spoken will be fulfilled.

The wedding of the Lamb will come, and we will walk hand in hand in the Garden of Eden like You did with Adam.

Purified, refined seven times, Your golden feet walk out Your plans with purity. You Who are holy and blameless in love, all You have done, do, and will do is for the sake of love.

the last four attributes of God will be in my next blog….

The Bride’s Song of God’s Beauty

My Revelation on the Island of Patmos: Part 3b of 5

I LOVE this Song! The Lord used it to save me.

The Shulamite represents the Bride of Messiah. The Bride describes 16 attributes of her Beloved God in Song of Songs 5:10-16 depicting why she is lovesick for Him in a time of crisis.

Are you suffering or facing difficulty? In your weakness, worship.

You will ravish Yeshua’s heart, and He will say to you, “Turn your eyes away from Me for they have overcome Me,” Song of Songs 6:5.

I have used other Scriptures to interpret the poetry in Song of Songs.

Prayers based on Scriptural interpretation have been written to help give you understanding of each attribute of God. Enjoy!

Holy

“My Beloved is white"

Love of my life, Holy One lifted high You are dazzling light enthroned on the praises of Israel. Creatures flying, seraphim dancing, thunder resounding, multitudes singing, elders falling retaining no glory. All are crying, “Holy! Holy! Holy!”

(Isa. 6, Rev. 4 & 5, Ps. 22:3, I John 1:5, Ps. 139:11-12, I Cor. 13:4-8)

Ardent Love

“My Beloved is…ruddy (red)”

Gazing into the window of Your soul through Your eyes like unquenchable, vehement flames, I see zealous love that consumes You.

You are Yah, the everlasting burning, the flame of love. I am my Beloved God’s and His desire is for me.

(Song of Songs 7:10 & 8:6-7, Rev. 1:14, Deut. 4:24, Isa. 33:14)

Incomparable Superiority

“Chief among ten thousand”

Beloved, You came in the likeness of men, setting aside Your garments of light and putting on garments of flesh and blood.

You did not seek honor for Your noble sacrifice. You served, humbled Yourself unto death and were broken for all. Your humility has exalted You to the highest places.

(Phil. 2:5-11, Isa. 53, John 8:56-58)

Priceless Thoughts & Sovereign Leader

“His head is like the finest gold”

Beautiful One, You have a veil of mercy over Your mind as You think and process what You hear. Whatever is true, honorable, lovely, pure, of good report and just, You think on these things.

All I want to do is sit at Your feet and hear Your refined thoughts of wisdom and divine insight. I trust Your leadership in my life!

(Heb. 4:16, II Sam. 24:14, Luke 6:36, Phli. 4:8, Luke 10:38+, Isa. 26:3-4)

Covenant God

“His locks (hair) are wavy, and black as a raven”

You display Your eternal consecration to me with Your wavy locks as the Nazarites vowed to not cut their hair as a sign of their consecration unto You.

An everlasting covenant sealed in Your own blood cries out that You are a Bridegroom God in love with Your creation. I am Yours Yeshua.

(Num. 6, Judges 13, I Sam. 1:11, Luke 22:14-20, John 3:29, Rev. 19:7)

Steady, Peaceful Gaze

“His eyes are like doves by the rivers of waters washed with milk, and fitly set.”

Like the dove, You do not look to the left or to the right. You are gazing at me even when You are not answering. Oh Shepherd of my soul, guide me with Your Spirit-filled, peaceful eyes of love.

(II Chron. 16:9, Luke 3:22, Psalm 23, Psalm 32:8)

Passionate Emotions

“His cheeks are like a bed of spices, banks of scented herbs”

Oh that You would cause the beaming smile on Your face to shine upon me! Let me see Your “emojis” Yeshua. :D

Let me admire Your expressions, feel Your emotions and know Your zeal for me my beautiful God.

(Psalm 45:7, Num. 6:25, Isa. 62:4-5, Zech 8:2, Jer. 31:3, Matt. 9:36)

Pure Speech

“His lips are lilies dripping liquid myrrh (burial spice)”

With lips like lilies, Your speech is pure and kind. You are the nicest One I know.

There is grace upon Your lips that grants mercy and righteousness.

You declare Your love as strong as death, and as the living Word of God, everything You say is truth.

(Psalm 45:2, John 1, John 14:6, Song of Songs 8:6-7)

Eight more attributes of God’s beauty that are found in the Bride’s Song in Song of Songs 5:10-16 will be in the next blog post.