THE PSALMS – A JOURNEY IN WORSHIP AND FAITH - October 25, 2014 - Day 77 - Psalm 77

Sometimes it just gets hard to have faith. We cry out to God and it seems He isn’t there. We think He does not hear us. If we are not careful despair will overtake us. Psalm 77 speaks to these times.

Psalm 77:1-4
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. 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. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

Faith requires a level of strength. I have learned that we must build our faith before the storms hit. One way to stay strong is to look back and remember what God has done in the past.

Psalm 77:5-6
I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, "Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart." Then my spirit made a diligent search:

But despair and depression will cause doubt. Even when we know God has always been faithful to us Satan will use our past against us. He will tell us our sins are too great. He will try and convince us God has left us alone and tell us God is mad at us.

Psalm 77:7-9
"Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah

But wait just a moment. Go back 2000 years ago to Calvary. Open your Bible and hear what Jesus has promised to those who call Him Lord.

Hebrews 13:5-6
“…for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

Psalm 77:10-15
Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

The psalmist remembered the great exodus when Moses led Israel out of Egypt. We remember Jesus who has led us out of our sin.

Psalm 77:16-20
When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Take note of something very important in this psalm. It says this in verse 19, “Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.”

Sometimes it appears we have been abandoned by God. We have not. It’s just that at that point we cannot see His footprints. But He is there. He will lead you to the Promised Land. Imagine what the Jewish people thought just before God parted the Red Sea? Things looked pretty bad. But then suddenly God acted in a way that was unimaginable. So no matter how bleak it looks, trust in Jesus. He is there. Always.