Feb 282012
Thy way is in the sea and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. Thou leadest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Psalm 77: 19, 20
During my time singing with the Girls Choir at the National Cathedral, every weekday evensong we would sing the Pslams. It seemed so mundane since it happened every time, but I always loved it the most of all.
I think I always loved them because they were comforting. Somehow it seemed so beautiful to take verses, often plain simple words, when there were so many, and float them up to on high through music. As though, through singing them, the prayers suddenly became important enough and real enough to be answered by God.
My own tendency is to ask for prayers to be answered by God according to my ideas instead of
according to God’s plan. Sometimes when things don’t happen the way I want or when I am in pain or
experiencing a frustrating, challenging situation, it is very difficult for me not to get upset and feel as
though I have nowhere to turn.
I appreciate Psalm 77 in that the words are straightforward and honest. Asaph writes down his
emotions while dealing with his problems, the same way I fret about my life when I’m experiencing a
difficult situation. Asaph cries out to the Lord and seeks after him in the midst of turmoil. If you have
ever endured a trial, suffering, emotional pain, or any life difficulties you can probably relate to his
words.
Reading about his situation helps us relate to the feelings he has. I have found myself questioning
God about life circumstances when I didn’t understand why everything seemed to be happening a
certain way. Often times when I feel very upset, nothing can be said that will make me feel better.
Sometimes I let little things balloon so large in my worried head that a situation becomes seemingly
impossible and there is no place to find comfort. Sometimes we feel numb toward everything except
that worry and pain. We do not know what Asaph is enduring, but we can relate to the circumstance
where we could not find any comfort or release.
Then Asaph recalls the positive, sunshine-filled days when God was there for God’s people. It is
amazing how often trials set apart a new time of life. We have to remember in life, when times are dark,
soon we will be on the other side of the chasm. Sometimes it is these life chasms that forever change
our life. To make it through, we must remember it is God’s plan happening in our lives, even if we don’t
understand the reasons. Let us keep in mind Psalm 77.
Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? Amen.
Melanie Gowen
Psalm 77
Job 5: 8-27
1 Peter 3:8-18a