44:9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to {i} shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
(i) As they confessed before that their strength came from God, so now they acknowledge that this affliction came by his just judgment.
44:9-16 The believer must have times of temptation, affliction, and discouragement; the church must have seasons of persecution. At such times the people of God will be ready to fear that he has cast them off, and that his name and truth will be dishonoured. But they should look above the instruments of their trouble, to God, well knowing that their worst enemies have no power against them, but what is permitted from above.
