Walking Through Ephesians
“Psalm 77”
Categories: Seeing God Through the PsalmsPsalm 77
Peaks and valleys. There are times when our faith soars, and our trust and confidence in God seems stronger with every step. And then there are days like Psalm 77 – days that are in the dark, when the heart moans – eyes full of tears, our heads clouded with doubt and confusion. We can’t sleep (v. 4). Nothing seems to comfort us (v. 2).
Here Asaph asks 6 rhetorical questions in v. 7-8:
- Will the Lord reject forever?
- Will He never be favorable (show His favor) again?
- Has His loving kindness ceased forever?
- Has His promise come to an end forever?
- Has God forgotten to be gracious?
- Has He in anger withdrawn His compassion?
What causes one to feel this way? It could be sin – and thus thinking of God only brings pain, realizing the wrong I’ve done to Him (v. 3, 9). It could be storms of life – loss of job, loss of health, loss of loved ones, harm from those around me. Isn’t it interesting that in times of trouble, the seeds of doubt begin to sow just as they did for Asaph. Does God care? Has He heard my cries? Has He given up on me?
Well what’s the answer? What do we do in these moments when God seems far away? Look what Asaph did – “I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old” (v. 11). Rather than sinking in doubt, he chases those thoughts away by remembering what God has done before. Specifically he remembers the scene of the Red Sea, when God rescued His people from the Egyptians. When it seemed like all was lost, when there was no possible way forward, God saved His people – God provided a way.
Dark days will come. Life’s storms are inevitable. I can’t decide when those hard times will come. What I can decide is how I will navigate through those hard times – sinking in doubt or rising in faith. When those seeds of doubt start creeping in our hearts (does God care? Is He listening? Is He mad at me? Has He stopped being good to me?) – chase them away by remembering the God you KNOW! Open the Word and remember – God is good all the time. God is Faithful – He always keeps His promises. God can do all things – if He can part the waters of the Red Sea, He can part the waters and move the mountains in my life. God loves us always (Romans 5:8). God is gracious and willing to forgive those who turn from their sins.
Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light. “Surely I will remember Your wonders of old…” – don’t doubt, don’t forget – remember!
Holy God, there is none like You. Your strength, Your wisdom, Your love – they cannot be measured. Father in the times my heart is tested, in the times I’m tempted to question Your goodness, to doubt Your love, help me to remember. Help me to chase those lies away with the truth – Your Truth. You saved Your people by parting the sea. I know there is nothing You cannot do. If You cared for Your people then, I trust that You care for Your people now. Whether in the green pastures or in the dark valleys, I know I am safe so long as I am with You. Blessed be Your wonderful Name.
