Discombobulated
Opening Prayer
Thank You, God, for everything You have done for me. Give me eyes to see You at work in my life.
Read Psalm 77:1-20
[1] For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm. I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. [2] When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. [3] I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. [4] You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. [5] I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; [6] I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked: [7] “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? [8] Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? [9] Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” [10] Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. [11] I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. [12] I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” [13] Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? [14] You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. [15] With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. [16] The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. [17] The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. [18] Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. [19] Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. [20] You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What phrases does the psalmist use to describe his suffering?Something has happened to the psalmist, and it’s not good (1-3). It sounds like he’s having a dark night of the soul. Do you know that feeling–when everything becomes anxiety, nothing is certain any more and dreams and reality intermingle (5-10)? But then the writer realizes that being discombobulated, or upset and confused, is very dislocating. Notice how the psalmist gets a grip on reality and revisits the tangible facts of God’s interventions. He goes back to the stories that God has kept telling the Israelites to retell–the Exodus (15), the parting of the Red Sea (16-19), and God’s leading of the people to the Promised Land (20). Where do you record those tangible things that God has done–for yourself, and in your community? I keep a journal, but it’s often when things are moving at high speed that I don’t take the time to record them. Other people remember by telling the story to others.
Apply
Thank God for what he has done in your life in recent days. If you cannot recall his actions and blessings, try keeping better records!
Closing prayer
Dear Jesus, I want to make any changes that are needed so that I can live to please You. May my worship today show and bring glory to You.
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