Remembering God’s Redemptive Works

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 77

 

Psalm 77:12

I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.

(NKJV)

 

Just because one accepts Jesus as the Lord of their life does not mean problems and troubles disappear from their lives (John 16:33). However, it does mean we have an advocate that is with us through the troubles of life (Psalm 23:4). In this psalm, we see Asaph struggling and wondering if God has forgotten him, but then he remembers the miraculous deliverances of God in the past and concludes with understanding how God has led His people.

 

Psalm 77 begins with Asaph crying out to God, with God hearing His cry (Psalm 77:1). In the day of his trouble, Asaph sought the Lord and stretched out his hand in the night without ceasing (Psalm 77:2). He remembered God and was troubled, with him complaining and his spirit overwhelmed (Psalm 77:3). The Lord held his eyelids open so he could not sleep, with him so troubled he could not speak (Psalm 77:4). Asaph considers the days of old and the ancient times, calling to remembrance his song in the night, meditating in his heart with his spirit making a diligent search (Psalm 77:5-6).

 

Asaph then wonders if the Lord will cast off forever, and no longer be favorable, wondering if His mercy has ceased and His promises failing forevermore (Psalm 77:7-8). He wonders if God has forgotten to be gracious, or if He in anger has shut up His tender mercies (Psalm 77:9). He then confesses to saying this in anguish, vowing to remember the years of the right hand of the Most High, and His works of old, meditating on all His works (Psalm 77:10-12). The way of God is in the sanctuary, or His holiness, with no God as great as our God (Psalm 77:13). God is the one who does wonders, declaring His strength among the peoples, with His arm redeeming His people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph (Psalm 77:14-15).

 

Asaph recalls how the waters saw God and were afraid and trembling (Psalm 77:16). He remembers how the clouds poured out water and the skies let out the sound of thunder, with arrows of lightning flashing about (Psalm 77:17). The voice of God’s thunder was in the whirlwind with His lightnings lighting up the world, with the earth trembling and shaking (Psalm 77:18). God’s way was in the sea, with his paths in the great waters, with His footsteps not known (Psalm 77:19). The psalm concludes with Asaph saying God has led His people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron (Psalm 77:20).

 

Asaph cries out to the Lord during a time of trouble in his life, wondering if the Lord’s mercies have ceased, his promises have failed, or if the Lord has forgotten to be gracious (Psalm 77:7-9). He then admits to wondering about these things in anguish and remembers the Lord's wonders of old. He remembers how the waters saw God and were afraid with the depths trembling, a reference to the parting of the Red Sea, allowing Israel to cross on dry land to escape the approaching Egyptian army (Exodus 14; Psalm 77:16). He remembers how the clouds poured out water, the sky sounded with thunder, and lightning flashed like arrows in the sky (Psalm 77:17), referring to God’s delivering Noah in the great flood (Genesis 7). Asaph concludes this psalm by remembering how the Lord led His people through the wilderness by the hand of Moses and Aaron (Psalm 77:20).

 

Jesus warned us that in this world we would experience trouble, but He also reminded us that He overcame the world (John 16:33). Trouble will come to those who know Jesus as their Savior because we are in a spiritual battle against the forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:10-12). When one chooses to make Jesus their Savior, they change sides from the team of Satan to the team of Christ and should expect opposition. While this may not be comforting to someone contemplating becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, one must realize that Jesus has won victory over Satan through his death, burial, and resurrection (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 5:17-18; Philippians 3:8-11; Romans 8:11) placing those choosing to make Jesus their Savior on the winning side.

 

In Romans 10:9-10, Scripture tells us that to be saved, one must believe in their heart that Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead. They then must confess this belief with their mouths. If you sincerely believe this in your heart, I invite 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.

 

 If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.