Psalm 77:10 – And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” (NKJV)
I love the Psalms. They speak of the entire human experience, from the darkest disappointments to the highest joys. Whatever emotion describes your life at this very moment, the Psalms most likely have some beautiful things to say about it.
The 77th Psalm is twenty verses long, with the first ten verses describing great discouragement. The last ten verses describe how remembering what God has done will lift us from discouragement.
I want to pair up a “negative” from the first 10 verses, with a positive thing to remember from the last ten to help you better recall the ideas. See if you have ever felt any (or all!) of these negative emotions. Most likely you have experienced them all. The real question is, have you ever responded by remembering the goodness of God anytime in the past?
- (v.2) Life is so hard right now I can’t even sleep and nothing seems to comfort me… but I will remember all the good things the Lord has done and all the wonders of God from the past (v.11).
- (v.3) I just can’t take it anymore. I don’t think I can handle anything else going wrong… but I will remember everything that God has done for me and I will tell others about it (v.12).
- (v.4) I can’t rest or sleep; I’m so upset and discouraged I can’t even find the right words to describe it… but I will remember that You O God are holy and great and there is none like You (v.13).
- (v. 5) Things used to be so much better than they are now… but I will remember that You are a God of wonders and strength (v.14).
- (v.6) When I think about the happy times of the past it only makes me sad because I am having so many problems right now… but I will remember that the Lord has redeemed me and saved my soul (v.15).
- (v.7) God, are you there? Have you forgotten me? Are you going to help me?… but I will remember that even the winds and water obey Your very word and they tremble at the sound of your voice (v.16).
- (v.8) Lord, don’t You care about me anymore? I’m trusting in the promises of Your Word but it doesn’t seem like You are fulfilling them… but I will remember that all of heaven and earth do Your bidding; even the rain and lightning fall at Your command (v.17).
- (v.9) God, it seems like You are withholding all Your kindness from me. Are you mad at me? Have I made You angry. It sure seems like it… but I will remember how powerful You are and that Your ways are so great and so holy that it is beyond me to comprehend how You do things (v.18-19).
If you’ve been on this earth more than a few years you’ve probably experienced some of these emotions. If you’ve got a few gray hairs, then you’ve most likely experienced them all. Isn’t it amazing that our God knows every heartache, every emotion and every feeling that we could possibly experience.
Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (NKJV)
Jesus knows what you’re going through. He not only knows, He has experienced much worse. So remember what the Savior has done for you and see if your spirits are lifted by it!
God of Wonders, thank You for reminding us that the answer to ALL of life is to turn our eyes upon You and remember what You have done for us. Thank You for Jesus who, in His unexplainable love for us, experienced life as we know it so that He could sympathize with our heartaches and trouble. In His Name, Amen.
Contemplation: How do you handle the trials and troubles of life? Do you complain, become bitter or just stay depressed about it? Have you ever purposely tried to recall all the things God has done for you?
Application: Once again, the key to life is getting your mind off of your SELF. When life is tough make a conscious effort to stop and remember all the good things that God has done, both in general and for you personally (if you can’t think of any, you are indeed having a SERIOUS pity party). By the way, this works on a personal level too. When you find yourself truly down on someone (spouse, friends, other Christians), make an effort to recall everything good about that person that you can and see if it doesn’t melt away some of the negative emotion. As sinful humans, we are so prone to dwell on the one “bad” thing while selfishly forgetting the 999 “good” things.
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?