Psalm 77 is written from a soul that is distressed. We may even today consider this person depressed.
Verse 2 says that this person is seeking the Lord, stretching out their hand until it gets tired.
Ever felt that? Like maybe raising your hand in a class setting but you aren’t being called on and your arm or shoulder starts feeling weak or tingly or weird? This psalmist is praying like that but finding no comfort, no relief.
This is one distressed person. Looking for help, looking for relief from God and yet there seems to be none. “Will you spurn me forever and never again be favorable to me?” it says in verse 7.
I have been here. As a Christian I have had seasons of despair and there seem to be no relief. There have been times of consistent prayer over a matter, and it seems God has no desire to provide relief in that situation.
The psalmist does something amazing. He says, alright, I am just going to remember your works of old. You won’t deliver me from my distress right now, let me focus on how you delivered others.
I have never had that reaction. I find it fascinating. The example here is to think of the time God allowed the people to cross the Red Sea on dry ground. To do this when God SEEMS (key word) to be far away and not providing me delivery. My habit is usually to be further depressed and question if God even loves me. Have I done something to anger you?
The Psalmist increased his faith. He looked at historical events, things that took place hundreds of years before he was born. Things of Scripture.
He did not just say, “I believe Scripture.” He treated it as fact. He used it to affirm that God is almighty. There is something in that for you and me. More on this next time.
Until then S.D.G.