We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors; you crushed the peoples and made our ancestors flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
Psalm 44:1-3 NIV
In Psalm 44:1-3, the psalmist recalls God’s mighty works for previous generations. He drove out nations, planted His people, and made them flourish. Yet none of this came through human strength. It was God’s love and nothing else that brought victory. So if God’s love has not changed, why does His power seem so much harder to find in our own time?
God’s Love Has Not Changed — Our Seeking Has
The psalmist had much to celebrate from his ancestors’ testimony. They spoke of God’s right hand, His arm, and the light of His face. Indeed, these were not minor events. God crushed nations and established His people — all because He loved them.
A natural question then arises. If the psalmist already had that much to testify about, how much more should we? Yet instead, the situation appears to have grown worse. The church seems weakened and the move of God feels scarce. However, what could possibly have changed?
The psalmist is clear: human ability was never the cause. Their swords did not win the land. Nor did their arms bring victory. Therefore, we cannot blame our own weakness. The people’s strength was never the deciding factor.
A Greater Love Calls for Greater Pursuit
In our own dispensation, God has demonstrated His love even more powerfully. He sent Christ to die for us. At the time of Psalm 44, Jesus had not yet come. Yet God still loved the people and moved mightily on their behalf.
John 15:13 declares that no one has greater love than to lay down one’s life. Christ gave exactly that. So we now live under the greatest demonstration of love in all of history. Furthermore, this love is the very foundation of our access to God’s power.
Yet despite this greater love, we often fail to see God’s movement. The answer is not that He has withdrawn. God’s love has not changed. Rather, we have not sought Him with all of our heart. Indeed, He still loves us deeply. Those who search for Him honestly and wholeheartedly will find Him. If we release sin and seek His love above possessions, we will see Him act. His power remains fully available to those who truly pursue Him.
Living It Out
God’s love has not changed, and neither has His willingness to move on your behalf. Set aside distractions, let go of what holds you back, and pursue Him above all else.