Have you forgotten? Psalm 77
Here we have another Psalm from musical director Asaph. He’s under pressure, wrung out, stressed to the limits. Look at the words Asaph uses to describe his situation:
• Distress v.2 Spiritually weak v2 Insomnia v.4 Speechless v.4
Asaph in his desperation even thinks that God’s love has run out, his promises have fallen short, his grace run dry vs 8-10.
There will be times in our lives when we will feel overwhelmed by our feelings and circumstances. What can we learn from Asaph in Psalm 77?
Despite all that’s happening around him and to him. Despite the extremity of his emotions, Asaph begins to remember v.11-12. Asaph reminds himself of all that
God has done in the past …
• wonders v.11 mighty deeds v.12 strength v.15
Then towards the end of the Psalm, Asaph says something odd –
‘Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.’ v.19
Perhaps Asaph is thinking of the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14), where God provided salvation for his people?
Sometimes we will not see where God is working in our lives, perhaps we exercise faith. Faith in God’s goodness, provision and help. Faith which remembers his promises. Asaph remembers God’s goodness in the past, which gives him (and us) confidence for the future.
John Newton sums it up in the old hymn ‘His love in time past forbids me to think
He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink;’
God never forgets his people. He never forgets his promises. He is faithful.