We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.
Read Psalm 77 Listen to Psalm 77
Podcast (cnc-daily-psalms): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:49 — 1.1MB)
This psalm begins, “I cried out to the Lord for help”, which is something I have done during many tough times. These verses encourage us to pour out our hearts to God. It is ok to call out to God with the full force of our emotions which may include tears, rather than just keeping things bottled up behind a pious exterior.
The writer sought the Lord at night stretching out his hands, his spirit grew faint, sleep was a problem and speaking about his troubles was hopeless, sound familiar? (verses 1-4).
He then changes his focus to remember what God has done in the past. The Hebrew meaning of the word remember, includes the idea of ‘paying attention to’, by letting that event effect the present. This was an act of his will, three times the writer says, ‘I will remember/meditate’ on God’s mighty deeds, especially seen in the crossing of the Red Sea (verses 10-20).
Our Red Sea event is the empty tomb when God in Jesus defeated death and gave new life to people who trust in him. We also remember times where God has come through for us in our lives.
Let’s be open before God and intentionally remember how he has been faithful in hearing our prayers in our previous tough times.
Do you need to cry out? To question? To remember? Do so now-or keep this psalm for a day when you do need it.