‘Ungodly Nation’ Conflict! Psalm 43:1-2

Text: “Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.  For Thou art the God of my strength: why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

Psalm 43:1.

Good morning, Christian living in an ‘ungodly nation’!  Today, in this 21^st Century time, when ‘the Christian church’ worldwide and international is quite clearly slipping into doctrinal and practical apostasy – true and genuine, Bible-believing Christians are increasingly becoming a minority group.  We are, in fact, living within nations that are ‘ungodly nations’; wallowing in worldliness, selfishness, and moral/political corruption.  The moral state of all nations today is an open disgrace to Biblical principles and true Christian standards of practice. 

We are witnessing what Scriptures prophesy as ‘the great falling away’ of the church.

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (the Second Coming of Christ Jesus) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”                       (2 Thessalonians 2:1-17)

The Lord Jesus in that startling chapter of ‘end time’ revelation – Matthew chapter 24: - clearly teaches us to expect such a ‘falling away’, such a time of increased ‘iniquity’, or lawlessness, before He returns with devastating power and finality to put all things right.

“And because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  But he/she that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”  (Matthew 24:12-14)

Therefore, given the high level of worldwide national lawlessness and iniquity; accompanied by a clear visible corruption within the professing ‘Christian’ church teachings – we are safe to assume that we not only live within ‘ungodly nations’, but that our doing so is bound to become even more perilous as true Christian standards in life deteriorate.  Take heed!

So, what are you and I genuine Bible-believing, born again Christians to do?  Psalm 43 gives us good instruction and encourages us to know the Lord’s way for us to take.  Praise Him!

“Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.  For Thou art the God of my strength: why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” (Psalm 43:1)

Solution:  We are to fully realise that it is us, ‘the Body of Christ’, the Church worldwide and international that must first make drastic changes if this situation is to be addressed positively to God’s greater glory.  We must do something about OUR failings and sin!

“For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”  (1 Peter 4:17-18)

If the Lord God judges you and I to be living correctly in obedience to His Sovereign will, as revealed in His inspired Word – then happy are we indeed! He will empower us, ‘His people’ to not only endure, but to wage sound and profitable Spiritual warfare for the souls of His elect people who are still found outside of a personal relationship with the risen Christ Jesus.  If not, we must make ourselves right, by confession of our sin, and forsaking of it progressively.  (1 John 1:7-9) 

Verse 1.  “Judge me O God. I can laugh at human misrepresentation if my conscience knows that Thou art on my side.”  (C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, page 208)

It is surprising how much slander, libel, fault-finding, and malicious gossip a true Christian can cope with, IF he/she has a clear conscience in the sight of the Living Lord God.  The Lord grants the power of His Spirit when we seek to humble ourselves under His will and grace.  Praise God it is so!

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” (Philippians 1:29-30)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)

Verse 1. “...And plead my cause against an ungodly nation. When people are ungodly, no wonder that they are unjust; those who are not true to God Himself cannot be expected to deal rightly with His people.  Hating the King, they will not love His subjects.  Popular opinion weighs with many, but Divine opinion is far more weighty with the gracious few.  One good word from God outweighs ten thousand railing speeches of men.  He bears a brazen shield before him whose reliance in all things is upon his God; the arrows of calumny fall harmlessly from such a buckler.”  (C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, page 208)

Verse 1. “O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.  Deceit and injustice are boon companions: he who fawns will not fear to slander.  From two such devils none can deliver us but God.”  (C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, page 208)

The Lord God can NEVER cast off those for whom He has already suffered and died !

Verse 2. “Why dost Thou cast me off?  There are many reasons why the Lord might cast us off, but no reason shall prevail to make Him do so.  He hath not cast off His people, though he for a while treats them as cast offs.  Learn from this question that it is well to enquire into dark providences, but we must enquire of God, not of our own fears.  He Who is the Author of a mysterious trial can best expound it to us.”  (C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, page 208)

“Let your conversation (entire lifestyle) be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

You and I shall have constant conflict as we live our Christian lives within ungodly nations.  However, as we engage in continual Spiritual Battle with ungodliness – we are assured of Christ’s own power; His ever-given grace; and His matchless love.  Praise His Name!

Thought: Grieve not, true Christian! The Battle is almost done, Jesus comes soon!