Psalm Chapter 77

To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph

Psalm 77:1 . I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

What could cause this deep grief and trouble in the writer of this Psalm. It could be personal sorrow. A loved one might have died. It could be one of enemies coming against him. He could be sorrowful over his own sin against God or failure in life. He could be grieving because sin is consumed the land and causing God's presence and protection to be withdrawn. Whatever the trouble, this writer knows who to go to for help and so should we. No matter what the trouble, God is the answer and help.

Psalm 77:5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

This is a normal reaction to have if we are troubled and it seems as if God's answer is silence, especially if we once knew God and we remember a time when His presence seemed more real than at the present time.

This seems to be a cry for the nation of Israel which has suffered so much trouble from the enemies that constantly have come against them since the day they were created. Many times their sin separated them from God and it would seem as if God had forsaken them but we know that He did not forget them and has set them in their own nation once again.

Psalm 77:10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

He reminded himself that God is still on the throne. He reminded himself of the works that God did in the past. He may have remembered God's promise to Abraham, His protection from the pursuing armies of the Egyptians, the manna in the wilderness and many other times when God was not silent. I had an experience one day when it seemed like God was far away and I felt blah..awful in spirit. Not physically. The very next day, it was different. The joy of the Lord was back. I said to God, that I was glad He was back. I didn't hear an audible voice but in my spirit I heard the words, "I never left."

Psalm 77:14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

He remembered the God who led the flock of Israel by the hand of Moses and Aaron. He remembered that God has not changed and is still the same.

Sometimes today we have trials that we do not understand. It helps to remember the times when we felt God's presence and remember times when God answered prayer. This strengthens our faith. Hearing testimonies of others also helps restore our faith. Sometimes it seems Heaven is silent and in those times we have to remember the word of God and His promises, remember times in the past when God helped us and seek out others of like faith to encourage us.

There are times though that we need to consider our own ways and search our own hearts. Troubles come to all whether they are good or bad but sometimes we may feel forsaken of God because of our own works. Perhaps we have fallen into habitual sin that is separating us from His blessings. This does not mean every time something bad happens, that we have sinned against God. No, sometimes it is just a time of trial. Yet sometimes sin can be the very cause of our troubles.

In today's teachings we have overlooked this possible cause to trouble. If sin is the cause we need to think God for allowing the trouble to come upon us to correct the situation. What if He allowed us to continue in sin until the time we die and then have that sin in our hearts at the point of death? Sin separates us from God.

Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Yet answered prayer and reconciliation with God is only a prayer away. The prayer being a prayer of repentance. If we sin, repent. It is simple as that. To repent means more than just being sorry. It means to turn around and change. It means to hate the sin and turn to God for help.

God gave us His Son to die for our sins, forgive us of sin, and give us power over sin. We don't have to live separated from God. Through faith in Jesus Christ, sin is cleansed and our fellowship with God is restored. God is so good to give us the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Sin separates but Jesus unites us and is the bridge that brings us back into the right relationship with God. -DC

Psalm 78

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