Strength in Weakness
Opening Prayer
“You are the God who performs miracles” (14). I praise You that You are a powerful and mighty God.
Read PSALM 77
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
1 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.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
When trouble comes, would you describe yourself as a glass half-empty, or a glass half-full person, faith-wise?This psalm is in two halves. Verses 1–9 are a glass half-empty situation; they indicate the distress that the psalmist is in. Troubling things have happened; sleepless nights and sorrow have made him doubt whether God’s mercy and compassion will ever be shown to him again. The questions in verses 7–9 may well echo our own questions. Ever been there?
Then we turn to a glass half-full situation. Verses 10–20 show the psalmist recalling God’s great deeds for his people. He remembers God’s redemptive acts at the time of the Exodus, and reminds himself of God’s shepherding character (20). The underlying assumption here is that if God did those wonderful things, he will still do wonderful things. Ever felt like that?
It is a comfort and strength in times of trouble to recollect what God has done for us, to look back through our lives and see what God did. It encourages us to keep trusting and keep believing. Naomi found it difficult to do (Ruth 1:20,21);
nevertheless, God brought redemption and blessing out of her distress. Ruth, in her distress, could see that God was someone to belong to, and she lived the rest of her life by that belief.
Apply
Pray for anyone you know who is struggling. How could you encourage them in faith?
Closing prayer
God, remind me of Your faithfulness in all situations. When my glass is half-full and when it is half-empty, be with me.
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