Psalm 77 tells us that trouble turns us to the Lord! "In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord." 77:2 And verse 3 "I . . . was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed."
So the Psalmist cried out to the Lord and what does God do? "He gave ear unto me." He listened to me! What a privilege for the great God who created this mighty universe and each one of us individually listens to us and answers our prayers. He doesn’t always give us the answer we would prefer, but He is the omniscient, all-wise God and we are not. He certainly demonstrates that "His grace is sufficient for us"–as you have seen in your own life.
Have you ever had Asaph’s experience, "I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. . . . I am so troubled that I cannot speak." vv.3-4 Sometimes we can simply "rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." Other times we feel overwhelmed with the events that are "coming down on us."
So what does Asaph do about it?? [5] "I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search."
He remembers God’s faithfulness in the past and the mighty deeds He did in "days of old, the years of ancient times." Then he remembers how God had put a new song in his heart, even praise unto the Lord and had given him joy and made his heart sing. He didn’t feel like singing now, but he knew he would again because "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
Then he remembered some more things: "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 thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings." Notice how Asaph suddenly quits talking "about" God and begins talking directly to God Himself: "I will remember Thy wonders of old" and meditate on "thy work" and talk about "thy doings."
We don’t always understand God’s ways, but we can see God’s Providence in our lives. "He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel." Psalm 103:7 And yet Asaph, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us something of God’s ways. He says two things about them: v.13, "Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders. . . ." And in v. 19, "Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known."
We see God’s way "in the sanctuary" in the holiness of God so we know His ways are always just and right and good and best. Asaph goes into the sanctuary of God to worship Him. Worship of the Lord is our first consideration always as a way of life. Acknowledge God’s providence and thank Him for it. View everything in the light of God’s purposes and grace and wisdom, then we can see that the ends, the end results will be right. We have an immediate problem but God is accomplishing His purposes through it.
But His way is also "in the sea" where His "footsteps are not known," they leave no tracks so we don’t always know where God is going. But we do know that His way is holy and that it is right and that one day that which is hidden will be made clear. There is mystery in life, but God is in control of that mystery. God will accomplish His purposes but the means by which He does so are often hidden from us.
And we do know that through it all God is leading us: "Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." We are His people, the sheep of His pasture and He has obligated Himself to take care of us. And so He does and so He will. That’s why we trust Him. Notice that it was not Moses and Aaron who led the people, but it was God who led them. There is but one who is the "great shepherd of the sheep." Heb. 13:20 Focus on Him and not on your problems, "casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7
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