The Pain and Promise of Psalm 77

There are times in life in which the enormity of our troubles seems beyond comprehension. The power of the storm is overwhelming, unrelenting, and sometimes pure blinding. The crushing blow of an experience can drive one to their knees in agony. I know these feelings very well. I have experienced the loss of parents and children. I knew the sadness of my wife’s struggle with cancer. I was imprisoned for my people and had every material thing taken from me – my home, bank accounts, and even my youngest children.

In so many ways, Psalm 77, captures my experience:

“I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, ‘Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.’ When my spirit made a diligent search: Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious?” Psalm 77: 1-9

The pain of the author is evident. He feels abandoned by God. He cries out and feels as though God no longer loves him. He no longer cares. It is a heartbreaking moment in the Bible. Then, the author remembers that God’s will is not only perfect, but ready to serve His people at their most tragic time of need.

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Psalm 77:11-14

It is at this moment that the distraught author (Asaph) – through his grief, pain, and anguish – remembers with clarity the power of God and His history of coming through for His people. Reflecting on the moment in which God saves the Israelites at the Red Sea from Pharoah – a moment in which Israel felt dread and defeat – the author recalls:

“When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Psalm 77: 16-20

At the moment of deepest terror, fearful of a fate that they neither knew nor could conceive, God saved them all and simultaneously crushed the enemies of His people. It is a reminder of our mortal limitations and His immortal omnipotence.

For, if God would do this for a people who questioned His very will mere minutes before He parted the Red Sea, how much more will He do for His people who place their entire faith in Him, through Jesus Christ?

I don’t know what you are going through, but trust in the Lord your God.

Those terrible times will depart. In fact, the enemies who have brought that suffering upon you – a child of the Lord – will be vanquished. Eventually, the storm will lift, and you will see clearly that God always loves you and always will. His sacrifice a testament to that never ending love for you.

Whatever you are going through right now, I pray you reflect upon the power of God. He will see you through this. He will deliver you. Trust in Him. It will be okay.