Take God Seriously
Opening Prayer
Mighty God, I praise You for Your glory and grace, Your peace and power, Your greatness and goodness.
Read Psalm 77:1-20
[1] For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.
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.
Meditate
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). Why not do that now?
Think Further
Why, as Christians, do we think we should pretend that everything is fine when clearly it is not? The psalmist believed that God had big enough shoulders to carry his burdens. Sometimes the most profound prayer is simply, “Help!” We can try too hard when we pray. The psalmist, by his example, gives us permission to tell it as it is. He has reached the end of his tether and is desperately trying to hang on to his faith. However, though everything in his circumstances causes him to doubt, he will not let that define him.
The problem is partly physical in that he is not sleeping well. We often overlook the impact our physical condition can have on our spiritual awareness. When we are tired then doubts can find a fertile breeding ground. There is more though to his situation here than simply exhaustion. We find ourselves drawn into the writer’s internal struggle as he seeks to match his doubts with memories of God’s faithfulness. What is fascinating is the way that he refuses simply to see-saw, but rather takes himself in hand. He steps outside his own experience and recalls the history of God’s dealing with his people. It takes an effort of will to set our own problems against a bigger picture, but this is exactly what he does. He looks back at God’s defining miracle against all the odds in the Exodus, and finds the strength to keep going. The God who can deliver the Israelites from the mighty Egyptians can also look after him.
In the same way, for us, the defining miracle of the New Testament is the resurrection. Against all the odds, God reversed the verdict of the courts and vindicated his Son. This reminds us that the last and defining word is always with God, whatever the circumstances. “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24, NRSV).
Apply
When children tell their worries to their parents, they can relax. Try that with your heavenly Father right now.
Closing prayer
Lord, I want to live fully in the now. So often I am heavy today with remembering yesterday’s regrets. Help me to lighten today with remembering yesterday’s victories.
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