Praying the PsalmsParaugs

Psalm 77

Have you ever shaken your fist at heaven? Or kicked at the dirt in frustration or anger? Did you ever feel like no matter what steps you took to lean into God and his care, your wounded heart still aches?

Life is tough. No matter if you are 13 or 93. Some days can be a nightmare and a tornado rolled into one. Nights can be sleepless, filled with anxious thoughts about the previous day or worries about the coming dawn.

Clearly, the psalmist Asaph felt these same emotions. And that’s the beauty of God’s people and the reminders in his Word. When our journey from birth to death gets the best of us, and it will, we have a choice: react in fear or respond with trust. The one who penned this hymn struggled with a similar option.

He starts by confessing the wrestling match he’s having over his circumstances. He’s clearly in a pickle. There are more sleepless nights than restful ones. He shakes his head wondering if God is even aware, asking: “Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Is his love worn threadbare? Has his salvation promise burned out?” (Psalm 77:7, MSG). When we’re going through a season where God appears silent and our need for his presence is great, don’t we also doubt?

The next time fear and confusion raise their ugly head, do this: imagine how the disciples must have felt between the crucifixion and the resurrection. These young men and women had given up everything to follow Jesus. Everything. Some lost their livelihoods. Others cast away family or best friends to enter the inner circle of followers. The silence of Saturday was deafening! “Where was God? Did he leave us for good?”

The Bible is remarkably quiet about those hours. We know it was the Sabbath, so the followers of Jesus must have gathered. They likely sang songs, read scripture, and mourned together. Undoubtedly, they told stories of all that they had seen the Master do during the past three years. They marveled, remembering one account after another of his healings and care for others. We can be certain that as they noted how Jesus moved during his life, that they could trust and hope for their future.

The psalmist does the same thing. He takes an inventory. Looking at creation, the ocean, the clouds, the sky, the winds, he creates a tangible list of how he’s seen God move. Asaph’s conclusion? “Your ways are holy!” (Psalm 77:13, NCV). “You alone work miracles.” (Psalm 77:14, CEV). “You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble.” (Psalm 77:15, MSG). And then he responds with trust, noting that God leads like a good shepherd.

Even in our anxiety or pain, we can stop and note how and when God has taken care of us in the past. We can trust the protector of our souls to take care of our present situations and our future trials, too! He is with us. Always.

Prayer

God. Abba. Father.

Today we thank you for being right here. When we are in distress or in trouble, we cry out to you. Even at night, when we cannot sleep and our mind won’t stop racing with anxious thoughts of tomorrow, we remember your goodness. Some days, though, when you are silent, we wonder if you are listening, O God. We ask ourselves if this is the end? Have you forgotten us?

Then we remember again your goodness. Your mercy. Your love. Even the great things you have accomplished, just in our brief lifetimes. Yes, everything you do is right. There is no god that compares to you, great King. You alone work mighty miracles. You alone are the One True God who makes things happen.

You rescued your people from the mighty waters. Yes, when the ocean’s waves are towering, you are greater. When the thunder is deafening in the whirlwind, your voice bellows louder. Even when the earthquakes and lightning flashes in brilliance, you are more powerful. Heaven and earth obey your commands, for you are God.

You guide us through every storm of life. Like a shepherd tenderly treasures his sheep, you protect, you lead, you comfort, you care for each of us.

We thank and praise you. We reach our arms to you and take your strong, powerful hand. Thank you for leading us. Always. We trust you, God.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.