November 4, 2021 – Psalms 41-45

The testimony of the sons of Korah: “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (42:1,2). But those who do not know this God, they mock, “Where is your God?” (42:3). Elijah rightly mocked the prophets of Baal, wondering where their god was (for he was no god at all): “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27). Wrongly, though, did Jesus’ enemies mock him: “He saved others; he cannot save himself” (Matthew 27:42).

To those who ask, “Where is their God?” (Psalm 115:2), we answer, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3). We testify, “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you done them all” (Psalm 104:24). Our God himself declares, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” (Isaiah 46:10). And, so, we sing:

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right Man on our side,

the Man of God's own choosing.

You ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth his name,

from age to age the same;

and he must win the battle. --Martin Luther (1529)