April 20, 2009
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I cry aloud to G-d
Psalms 77:1-20 For the leader. For Y’dutun. A psalm of Asaf: I cry aloud to God, aloud to God; and he hears me. (2) On the day of my distress I am seeking Adonai; my hands are lifted up; my tears flow all night without ceasing; my heart refuses comfort. (3) When remembering God, I moan; when I ponder, my spirit fails. (Selah) (4) You hold my eyelids [and keep me from sleeping]; I am too troubled to speak. (5) I think about the days of old, the years of long ago; (6) in the night I remember my song, I commune with myself, my spirit inquires: (7) “Will Adonai reject forever? will he never show his favor again? (8) Has his grace permanently disappeared? Is his word to all generations done away? (9) Has God forgotten to be compassionate? Has he in anger withheld his mercy?” (Selah) (10) Then I add, “That’s my weakness [supposing] the Most High’s right hand could change.” (11) So I will remind myself of Yah’s doings; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. (12) I will meditate on your work and think about what you have done. (13) God, your way is in holiness. What god is as great as God? (14) You are the God who does wonders, you revealed your strength to the peoples. (15) With your arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Ya’akov and Yosef. (Selah) (16) The water saw you, God; the water saw you and writhed in anguish, agitated to its depths. (17) The clouds poured water, the skies thundered, and your arrows flashed here and there. (18) The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind, the lightning flashes lit up the world, the earth trembled and shook. (19) Your way went through the sea, your path through the turbulent waters; but your footsteps could not be traced. (20) You led your people like a flock under the care of Moshe and Aharon.
He is trying to encourage himself by remembering how Adonai delivered him in the past, meditating on the good times, so he could be strengthened in the present situation.
When we are going through difficult times, it is easy to say things about Adonai that we don’t really mean, that are not really true. Be careful for it is easy to continue down this path of despair.
Meditate on Adonai’s work. Adonai isn’t always going to bring you through a deliverance as He did with the Assyrians. Sometimes we go through difficult times like with the Babylonians. What do we do then? Think about what Adonai has done for you.
Count Your Blessings – the hymn by Johnson Oatman Jr.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings—name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings—ev’ry doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.Those who would be in health do not sit still in their houses to breathe such air as may come to them, but they walk abroad and seek out rural and elevated spots that they may inhale the invigorating breezes. Thus those godly souls who would be in a vigorous spiritual state do not merely think on whatever holy doctrines might come into their minds in the ordinary course of thought, but they give time to meditation, they walk abroad in the fields of truth, and endeavor to climb the heights of gospel promises. It is said that Enoch walked with God. Here is not an idle but an active communion. The road to bodily health is said to be a footpath, and the way to spiritual health is to exercise one’s self in holy contemplation.
– Charles Haddon SpurgeonShalom
