Remember

Remember: Elizabeth, Basketball memories, family moments

When I’m Distressed/ Troubled/Overwhelmed - v. 1-3

v. 1 The Psalmist cries aloud, voices his prayer to God.

v. 1 The Psalmist cries aloud, voices his prayer to God.

God always gives ear/inclines His ear to His children when they cry out.

v. 2 The Psalmist seeks the Lord in his trouble.

The Psalmist’s arm was extended continually without tiring, seeking deliverance from God, but nothing he did brought his soul comfort.

v. 3 The Psalmist remembers God but is grieved and moans.

Upon remembering God, the psalmist comes near to fainting. He’s overwhelmed.

King James Version Psalm 61

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed:

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

The Psalmist has reached the end of himself and found no comfort.

I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone; In my distress He kindly will help me; He ever loves and cares for His own.

I cannot bear these burdens alone;

In my distress He kindly will help me;

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles; He is a kind, compassionate Friend; If I but ask Him, He will deliver, make of my sorrows, quickly an end.

He ever loves and cares for His own.

When I Can’t Find the Words and am Questioning - v. 4-9

v. 4 The Psalmist searches but cannot find rest or even words.

v. 5 The Psalmist meditates on the things he was told of his fathers that God had accomplished.

v. 6 He calls to his own memory the song which he once sang in the night.

He speaks to himself to seek encouragement and searches his own soul.

v. 7-9 The Psalmist begins to question rhetorically.

v. 7 Has the Lord removed His favor from me?

v. 8 Is He failing in His promise of steadfast love to me?

v. 9 Has God, in His anger towards me, forgotten to be gracious as He once was?

The answer to all of his questions are a resounding “NO”.

God’s Holy Work of Redemption - v. 10-15

The Psalmist awakens to the fact that God has not changed.

v. 10-12 The Psalmist is encouraged when he remembers God’s work for His people.

Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, Volumes I–VII $93. “The God that Doest Wonders” (Psalm 77:11–20)

He cannot cast us off. When once he begins he will continue. The train may be lost in a dark tunnel, but it will shoot out again into the radiant daylight. Through the hard Wilderness God led his people into the land of milk and honey. It is thy infirmity that leads thee to doubt him. Like John the Baptist, thou mayst be enclosed in a dungeon-cell of adverse circumstances, but remember the long years in which the right hand of the Most High has wrought for his people.

v. 12 The Psalmist talks of God’s works.

v. 13-15 “Thy way is Holy.”

Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, Volumes I–VII $93. “The God that Doest Wonders” (Psalm 77:11–20)

Compare vs. 13 and 19. God’s way is in the sea—it is impossible to track his footsteps—but it is also in the sanctuary! In other words, however perplexing his providences may appear, they are governed by his redeeming love for his own, and are consistent with his perfect holiness. His ways may be veiled in mystery, but he leads his people as the shepherd his flock. Do not look down at your path, but up into his face.

v. 13 He is reminded that God’s ways are higher and greater than his own.

King James Version Chapter 15

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods?

Who is like thee, glorious in holiness,

Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12  Thou stretchedst out thy right hand,

The earth swallowed them.

13  Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed:

Thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

God does a work that all of our combined, maximum effort could not accomplish.

Illustration: Drone Races (cameras) God knows the course, He is the camera, He is the motor

v. 14 He remembers God’s strength displayed in His work for His people.

v. 15 He remembers God’s love displayed in His work for His people.

Compare v. 2 and 15 my arm vs God’s arm.

We are redeemed/purchased/bought with a price by the Blood of the Lamb.

God’s Sovereign Work - v. 16-20

v. 16 Red Sea - the waters moved at His command. Calming the sea, Jordan, Creation

v. 17 Rain at His command - Elijah, Noah, the sky roars, lightning

v. 18 Thunder, lightning, earth trembling (Golgotha)

v. 19 God may not be seen but His work is clear.

Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, Volumes I–VII $93. “The God that Doest Wonders” (Psalm 77:11–20)

Compare vs. 13 and 19. God’s way is in the sea—it is impossible to track his footsteps—but it is also in the sanctuary! In other words, however perplexing his providences may appear, they are governed by his redeeming love for his own, and are consistent with his perfect holiness. His ways may be veiled in mystery, but he leads his people as the shepherd his flock. Do not look down at your path, but up into his face.

v. 20 God leading the Israelites out of captivity.

His hand was evident in every step.

He used Moses and Aaron as vessels to accomplish his task.

Application:

What do you do when you’re overwhelmed or in despair, when you can’t find the words?

Stop trusting in your own devices and schemes.

Remember the fact that you are redeemed.

Remember that God’s sovereign will applied to your life before today and continues to apply in your future.