05/21/2022
When we are deeply troubled our mind is consumed by it, and it seems that all else is put away to make room for those dreadful thoughts. Haven’t we all tossed and turned in our beds at some point? Where was our faith on those nights, and why did we tremble and worry to such a degree that it brought us sleeplessness? Let’s consider Psalm 77 today, and the plea of the psalmist as he asked for God to hold his eyelids open, not so that he could consider the source of his troubles, but so that he could pray, praise, and meditate, even to search diligently for a deeper understanding of God who solves our problems… the one who comforts us, and gives us pleasant and peaceful sleep.
“You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:”
Psalm 77:4, 6 ESV
Our spirits are often pushed aside by the bullying of our minds as they are hell bent on fretting over the things of the earth. Our troubles consume us in this way, and in so doing we are allowing the world, that Jesus told us He has overcome, to reclaim us once again. If we don’t realize what is happening, and push aside the lies of Satan, our troubles will win out. We need to make way for our faith, so that we will not lose the peace of Christ, and become children of the world once more.
“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.””
John 16:33 ESV
The Psalmist of the 77th psalm went on to ask himself a series of questions to refocus his spirit, and mind, on who God truly is. He begins by asking himself the same question we should ask ourselves… is God with me always? Then, in the realization that God is truly with him he says what we should say… I will concentrate on this and on all He has done for me. When we are tossing to and fro in our beds this should be our first step in turning away from what troubles us. Listen…
““Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.””
Psalm 77:7, 10 ESV
Next the psalmist asks himself about God’s love for him, and recalls that it is not only real, but remains even now, and for all time. Sometimes we convince ourselves that God loves us when we are good, but not when we are bad, or that His love comes in like a tide, and retreats as the world turns, but neither of these are true. God so loved us that He sent His Son to redeem us while we were actively embracing sinfulness, and His love is never ending. Listen to the psalmist, and then read the two scriptures regarding the love of God.
“Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?”
Psalm 77:8 ESV
“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 ESV
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV
And in this same verse the psalmist asks himself if God has reneged on His promises. This is the ultimate question that not only determines if we doubt, but whether we actually believe that God is who He says He is, or if He is capable of lying. If we don’t believe that God is truth, then nothing else matters, but He is true, and is incapable of lying.
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”
Numbers 23:19 ESV
“in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began”
Titus 1:2 ESV
So now we know that God is with us, He loves us, He is good, steadfast, keeps His promises, and is incapable of lying to us.
It is time for the psalmist’s final question, and we should take great care to answer it correctly… it has two parts. The first is this… can God forget, and the second one is one that can be most unsettling… do we believe He can withdraw His compassion from us in a fit of anger.
“Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah”
Psalm 77:9 ESV
So, can God forget? We ask ourselves this question using our sin as an example of something we think he forgets when we are forgiven, but even in this He doesn’t forget as we do, no, he simply chooses not to remember. There is no accidental oversight or forgetfulness with God, nor is there a limit to His memory. Our sins are not remembered because He has chosen not to remember them…
““I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Isaiah 43:25 ESV
And finally, are we capable of making God so mad at us that He will withdraw His grace, and compassion from us? We read in scripture where He scattered the Jews, allowed them to be conquered, and did other things when He was disappointed or angry with them, but there is always a purpose, a lesson, and an end to His means.
“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.””
Hebrews 12:5-6 ESV
Similar to the Old Testament Jews we call out to Him from within our storms too, and praise Him in them. My father died, and I was distraught, and mourned his death, but this was not an act of God’s anger, disappointment, or some form of punishment. To feel this way is to deny who God is. Like all men I have sinned, and I know it disappointed the Lord, but as I suffered the consequences He taught me how to resist such temptations, and how to humble myself before Him in contrition. In our sin we should realize that God does become angry, but He never loses control in the midst of His anger; all His promises remain intact, as does His love for us, and his perfect grace. We should also realize that there are times when He is disappointed in us, but in those times we will feel His disappointment in our souls, and our faith reassures us that He forgives us as we humbly seek His forgiveness because we are His children.
Having answered all these questions the psalmist finds relief, and so should we. We need to lean back into the arms of God, and find rest there. Sleep should return to us once again, and our troubles should abate as we give them over into God’s hands. By concentrating, and meditating on who and what God is we will reach the same conclusion that the psalmist did as he wrote the remainder of the 77th psalm… that no other god is great like our God is.
“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?”
Psalm 77:10-13 ESV
Tonight, as we prepare for bed, let’s hand the remnants of our troubles to God. Pray in the name of Jesus that they be taken from us. Meditate on those things that are right and good, and find rest and peace for our minds, bodies, and souls.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 ESV
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the words of the 77th psalm which lead us to ask, and meditate on many of the hard questions of our faith in you. Thank you for being all that is written of you in your Word, and for the peace and rest you bless us with. Help us Lord when we are being overcome by grief, fear, or temptation, and focus our thoughts on you, and your Son Jesus in those hard times… not on the world, and the lies of Satan that rule it. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is loving, good, and true in all you say. Praised be your name for calming our fears, and giving us sweet rest in the midst of our troubles. Merciful are you who allows us to give our troubles over to you, and know they are no longer ours, but yours to solve. Great is your love, and the grace you pour out on us through your Son Jesus because it is never ending, and brings peace and joy to us. Wash us in His blood Father, and see only Him when you look into our eyes. Find us worthy in Him as you judge us, and seat us forevermore beside Him at your Heavenly Table where we will glorify, and worship, you for all eternity.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:26-27 ESV
Rich Forbes