God Is Faithful
Discouragement seems to sneak up on you like a beautiful sunset descends into the dark of night leaving only the blackness. How could something so beautiful turn into such darkness? It seems a perfect example for our lives. One day it’s all sunshine and roses and then from seemingly nowhere, all the lights go out and we’re left to grope around in the dark for what we’re looking for.
When it’s dark we can’t see the end of it, we can’t find the signposts that assure us we are approaching the end of the long awaited light. It’s the feeling of uncertainty; of questions that beg to be answered.
We go through regular periods like this. We are strolling along just fine and out of nowhere we can start to feel down, things aren’t coming together like we want when we want. Discouragement is a bit sneaky so we have to be aware of its stealthy ways so that we don’t slide into a full on spiral.
I love the Psalms. They are so human in expression. The writer of Psalm 77 starts out bemoaning his situation. He’s complaining to God thinking He is not listening to his prayer. Sounds vaguely familiar. He unloads all of his heart but then takes a sudden turn to positivity. It’s like once he gets it off his chest, it clears his mind.
Psalms 77:1-10…. I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me!
When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord.
All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven,
but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan,
overwhelmed with longing for his help. You don’t let me sleep.
I am too distressed even to pray. I think of the good old days,
long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs.
I search my soul and ponder the difference now.
Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me?
Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed?
Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?
And I said, “This is my fate, the Most High has turned his hand against me.”
Then he begins to do something. He recounts his history with God, he remembers God’s faithfulness in the past and all He has done….
Vs. 11-15 “But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts. I
cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
O God, your ways are holy.
Is there any god as mighty as you?
You are the God of great wonders!
You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
By your strong arm, you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.”
Yes, we go to God in prayer, and yes we get it all off of our chests. He knows how we feel and desires to hear our heartfelt prayer, albeit it sounds like whining! But the next thing is the most important to do! When things look impossible or we feel the lies trying to steal our assurance, we REMEMEBER His faithfulness to us in the past. Remember the times He came through for us, the prayers He answered and the victories under our belt.
Remembering takes the weight of the situation off of us as we realize that if God did it once He will do it again. It’s a divine epiphany. We encourage ourselves in our faith by recounting His goodness to us. If today is one of those days when emotions are overwhelming, start to look for past victories and speak them out loud back to the Lord. Trust is goodness, knowing He will make a way.
Remember His faithfulness and let His Spirit minister to your soul….won’t He do it?