Scripture: Psalm 77
1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Observation:
The Psalmist laments seeking God’s help and not being comforted. He speaks of continually seeking God’s help without receiving any peace. His soul is restless and without sleep. He writes: “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” (Psalm 77:7-9)
Then the psalmist turns to remembering all of God’s mighty acts of deliverance and begins to rest in the God who delivered the people of Israel, as God led both Moses and Aaron as they followed the footprints of God which were unable to be seen. The psalmist receives his peace in remembering who God is and what God has done.
Application:
There are times when it seems that our prayers do not even reach the ceiling of our homes, let alone make it to the throne of God’s mercy. Yet, we should remember that God’s promises never fail; and we should remember the times in our own lives that God has clearly provided for us with unseen hands and footprints. Trust in God in all the circumstance of our lives for God has our eternity in the grip of his grace.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, today’s reading from Psalm 77 reminds us that you are not a magic wand which we are able to wave, but that you are Creator God, Sovereign and Ruler of all Creation. Help us to have a right perspective as we approach your throne of grace. Help us to remember that you are always with us; and you never leave us or forsake us. Your grace and your Spirit in us alone are sufficient for all of our needs. Help us to rest in your promises as we make requests of you. Help us to walk humbly before you with contrite hearts and minds. Shape us as your people, that others might see your presence in our lives. Amen.