Troubled, Look Up

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 77

 

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

(ESV)

 

Trouble is a part of the fallen world we live in and something Jesus warned us would happen (John 16:33). While Jesus also told us he has overcome the world, our flesh is weak and can forget the overcoming power of God and experience deep anguish of heart (Matthew 26:41). In Psalm 77, Asaph appears to be experiencing deep anguish of heart with him sharing how he was able to change his perspective from anguish of the flesh to faith in God.

 

The psalm begins with Asaph crying out to the Lord in anguish, knowing that the Lord will hear him. His anguish is intense with it keeping him up at night and his soul not receiving any comfort. He is in such anguish that remembering the Lord causes him to moan and his meditation causes his spirit to faint (Psalm 77:1-3). He cannot sleep or speak due to his trouble and anguish of heart (Psalm 77:4).

 

Asaph considers the days of old before his trouble and asks God to let him remember his song in the night, perhaps a song of praise, and when the meditation of his heart led his spirit to make a diligent search instead of fainting (Psalm 77:5-6). In his anguish, Asaph asks God if he will spurn forever and never be favorable again (Psalm 77:7). He wonders if the steadfast love of God has ceased for all time and if His promises are at an end (Psalm 77:8). In his anguish, Asaph wonders if God has forgotten to be gracious or no longer has compassion (Psalm 77:9). In this anguish, Asaph decides to appeal to the years of the right hand of the Most-High on Israel (Psalm 77:10).

 

Asaph remembers the deeds of the Lord and meditates on God’s mighty deeds, changing his perspective to the holiness and greatness of God (Psalm 77:11-13). He now sees God as a God who works wonders, making known His might among the peoples, whose arm redeemed the children of Jacob and Joseph from Egypt (Psalm 77:14-15). He remembers how the waters of the Red Sea saw God and trembled (Psalm 77:16). His reference to clouds pouring out water, skies giving thunder, and arrows flashing is perhaps a remembering of how God held the army of Egypt at bay when Israel was backed up to the Red Sea (Psalm 77:17-18). He recalls how God provided a path through the Red Sea, leading the people of Israel by the hand of Moses and Aaron like a flock (Psalm 77:19-20).

 

Asaph is in anguish day and night finding no comfort and even moaning when remembering God and growing faint in spirit when meditating on God. Even though remembering God was troublesome for Asaph during this time, he did so by considering what God had done in the past (Psalm 77:3,5). He also asks for God to restore his song in the night so he can meditate in his heart with his spirit making a diligent search instead of fainting (Psalm 77:3,6). In his remembrance, Asaph remembers the deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea. Like him, Israel was in anguish with the sea on one side and the army of Egypt on the other. It appeared there was no way for Israel to survive but God parted the Red Sea, destroyed the Egyptian army, and Israel resumed their journey to the Promised Land (Exodus 14). Asaph now believes his God is the God who works wonders, whose might He makes known to the people (Psalm 77:14).

 

During times of trouble, one can experience anguish and not even want to seek God or meditate on his Word. When this occurs, it is crucial to go against one’s feelings and seek God for in seeking God, we are connecting with the God of wonders who will do mighty things to deliver His people. God has promised never to leave his children or forsake them (1 Chronicles 28:20; Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 43:5; Joshua 1:5) and promises to meet all their needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

 

Survival in a chaotic and evil world requires one having a connection with God. This connection is possible because Jesus Christ took the death penalty of sin upon Himself by dying on the cross (Romans 5:8; 6:23). This is a requirement for all of us have sinned, and face death for our sins without Christ. If you are reading this and do not have a personal relationship with God through Christ, I urge you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post and may we look up to our mighty, wonderful, and overcoming God in times of trouble.