Where is God? Is that something you question? Is God real? Is He at work in our world today? Our young people get bombarded with messages doubting the existence of God daily.
Another question often entertained- what’s wrong with God? Why isn’t He fixing the mess I am in?
Psalm 77 is probably one of the most overlooked Psalms in the Bible. “I cried out to God for help. I cried out to God to hear me… I stretched out arms for comfort…. You kept my eyes from closing… my spirit asked will the Lord reject me forever? Will He never show His favor again?”
Psalms 74-83 are attributed to Asaph or his descendants. Asaph was a seer who served in David’s court. 1 Chron. 25. He was a devoted worship leader.
Verse 5 has the answer. “I thought about the former days, the years of long ago, I remembered my songs in the night. Verse 10- when God stretched out His right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord.” This is the foundation of our faith, what God has done in the past, when He acted mightily in such a way that the people could not ignore Him. “You are the God who does miracles…. The waters saw you and writhed….. the heavens resounded with thunder…. Your path led through the waves… you led you people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron…”
This Psalm tells us exactly what to do when we don’t know.
1. Invisibility does not equal absence. The Psalms tell us God is very visible in the lives of believers.
2. Severity of troubles does not mean God is detached. Many Psalms deal with the depth of pain. He will fulfill His promises and bring His righteous safely home. God is very, very near, today.
3. Length of the trial does not equal inactivity.
The story of Joseph is indicative of what this psalm is teaching us. God was with Joseph all along, through all his troubles, until He finally did something big. He knows our whole lives and how He is going to use us.
Some want to give up on God when the sledding gets tough, but that’s precisely when we need Him the most, when faith is tested, strengthened and rewarded. 1 Peter 1:7-9.
“I will wait for you.” Find that song on Praise and Harmony.
Psalm 62:5-8. “My soul wait in silence for God only for my hope is in Him. He only is my rock and my sakvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Entrust your soul to Him today!
Sermon by Tony Mauck
