Hope Is the First Doseনমুনা

“Memory and Movement”

As I said in yesterday’s devotion, Lamentations taught me that hope requires action. After having that epiphany, I began noticing hope-grabbing action all over the Bible. Here is one example and what we can learn from it when we’re dealing with trauma.

Asaph (a temple musician) is in trouble at the start of Psalm 77. He’s hurting so much that he can’t sleep:

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands,

and I would not be comforted. (Psalm 77:1-2, NIV)

This was my life for so many nights after the horrible day I learned that my son had died. It’s so scary; you can’t stop hurting enough to sleep, and you’re also afraid of the dreams that will come when you do.

Asaph faces terrible peril and pain. What does he do with it?

I remembered my songs in the night.

My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

“Will the Lord reject forever?

Will he never show his favor again?”

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:

the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand?” (Verses 6-7, 10)

I love this.

Asaph is in the middle of this pity party. He’s reminding himself how hosed he is. “Everything is over, I’m done for. God’s forgotten me, all is lost, things are as bad as they can get. I’m resigned to this being the end of me, I’m done for.”

But after this he says to himself, “Hey, time out. Stop. Get off this worst-case scenario ride that you’re on, and just remember for a second, you’ve been here before. You’ve been through hard things, and God’s always come through.”

And then he comes down to this, in verse 13:

Your ways, God, are holy.

What god is as great as our God?

The lesson for us? There are two elements that combine to allow the hope muscles to flex into action: memory and movement. Remembering God’s goodness and greatness, then giving over all our troubles to God.

When was the last time you worshiped the Lord—truly praised him for who he is? Have you handed over your worries and care to him?