Today is day 77 of my husband being unemployed.
I read Psalm 77 this morning, and it struck a chord within me. God understands what I am feeling. God sees me, even when I feel unseen. I have been feeling like the writer, wondering if God has forgotten me.
Will the Lord cast off forever?
And will He be favorable no more?
Has His mercy ceased forever?
Has His promise failed forevermore?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?
—Psalm 77:7-9
And then I kept reading, and it said to remember how God has been faithful in the past.
God has come through for me all my life.
God saved me from myself and stupid choices when I was young.
God gave me a great husband and kids that I prayed for.
God provided for us, when there was no way.
God has given us health, a home and provided for our needs, plus more.
When I think of what I have done to deserve any of these blessings, I have not done anything to be worthy of the blessings God has given us. I am so grateful for all that God has done in my life.
The Consoling Memory of God’s Redemptive Works
To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.I cried out to God with my voice—
To God with my voice;
And He gave ear to me.In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.I remembered God, and was troubled;
I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.I have considered the days of old,
The years of ancient times.I call to remembrance my song in the night;
I meditate within my heart,
And my spirit makes diligent search.Will the Lord cast off forever?
And will He be favorable no more?Has His mercy ceased forever?
Has His promise failed forevermore?Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?And I said, “This is my anguish;
But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”I will remember the works of the Lord;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?You are the God who does wonders;
You have declared Your strength among the peoples.You have with Your arm redeemed Your people,
The sons of Jacob and Joseph.The waters saw You, O God;
The waters saw You, they were afraid;
The depths also trembled.The clouds poured out water;
The skies sent out a sound;
Your arrows also flashed about.The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;
The lightnings lit up the world;
The earth trembled and shook.Your way was in the sea,
Your path in the great waters,
And Your footsteps were not known.You led Your people like a flock
By the hand of Moses and Aaron.—Psalm 77 (NKJV)
God is not done, just because I don’t see what is going to happen next. Some days I feel anxiety and fear and do not know what words to pray. Psalm 23 has just the right words for anxiety. God is still good. If God does nothing else, He is always worthy of my praise. God gave us Jesus for eternal salvation. Yet God continues to do more, I feel HIs comfort when I don’t know what to say. I feel His presence and peace surrounding me, as I walk through the unknown. God, I will follow You, where you lead me.
The Lord the Shepherd of His People
A Psalm of David.The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.–Psalm 23 (NKJV)
