Day 77.
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah (Ps 77:2-3 ESV)
There are times when I feel the Lord has deserted me. When things don’t turn out the way I expected or prayers aren’t answered in a way that I can see I begin to wonder and doubt. Surely I have not been faithful enough and God has thus turned away from me. Surely my sin has caught up with me and God is judging me. Here seems evidence and justification for why the Lord would be far from me. These thoughts plague my sub-conscious mind. The Psalmist has put this experience into song for the congregation, as they face peril as a nation. But it seems every time the Psalms raise this question, the antidote is to instead remember the faithfulness of God in the past, particularly how God rescued Israel out of Egypt and established them in the Promised Land. While references to Israel are not always present, the remembrance of these events cannot be completely devoid of remembering too how stiffnecked and sinful Israel was during their rescue. God delivers them because of his earlier promises. And that is enough to draw any man out of his feelings of despair. God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. Remembering God’s mighty acts remind us of that.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
Chronological Reading Plan plus Psalms: Dt 21-23, Ps 77
I am so thankgful that we can draw on the fact that He is always with us. Praise His Name