Psalm 77 Help in the dry place: Finding our way out of depressing times

Just got back from Colorado last night. Unlike here, it is dry there. Dry times are dangerous times. The least spark can result in devastation. We were unable to do any outside fires because of the fire danger. A friend of ours live very near to the 2018 fires. The area was so dry at that time, that disaster struck. Fires burned over 117,000 acres.

Dry times can happen in forests --- but they also happen in lives. In our lives. And they do.

Dry times and troubled times come to all of us. David saw plenty of them. He openly declares his struggles as He moves from his dry place back to God.

This morning we structure the service a bit different. As we examine the themes of David’s prayer we will stop with him and reflect with worship.

In our chaos, we can find hope and direction to move out of our place of dryness and trouble. We too can move back to the Lord.

Pray

In the dry place let us call out to the Lord.

(ESV) Psalms 77 1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

Notice David stops and pauses – Selah – stop / pause/think about what was said/ consider

11:04 Song: I Will Call Upon the Lord

I. In the Dry Place: Call out to the Lord

A. Intently seeking the true source for help Ps 77:1-2

(ESV) Psalms 77 1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

1. Didn’t try to ignore the dryness and problems. Pretend all is well. I can deal with this.

2. Cried out/ sought/ stretched out hands (prayer) without tiring /

3. Refused to be satisfied with false hope / anything less than God’s help

B. Knowing He desires to hear Ps 77:1

(ESV) Psalms 77 1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.

The NET Bible 1b “I will cry out to God and he will pay attention to me

1. The dry times are not the norm for the child of God

C. Recognizing that spiritual dryness is not the norm Ps 77:3

(ESV) Psalms 77 3 When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

1. He remembered / mused -basic meaning of this verb seems to be “rehearse,” “repent,” or “go over a matter in one’s mind.” / thought /contemplate

2. The previous blessing of God serves as catalyst in the dry time – it is hope for the future

a) It has been better – can be again – perspective

b) May not be as bad as it feels if review the blessing that still exist

c) Drives to move out of this place of dryness

D. Evaluating your relationship with God Psalm 77:2

(ESV) Psalms 77 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; … 3 … Selah

1. Trouble forces us to be real about our relationship with God

a) He is sufficient if we are right / maybe we aren’t

CONSIDER --- Call out to the Lord in the midst of your dry place Allow the trouble and dryness to drive you to the Lord.

And in the dry place deal with your doubts and concerns

(ESV) Psalms 77 4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I consider the days of old, the years long ago. 6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: 7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

11:17 Song: Better is One Day

II. In the Dry Place: Deal with your doubts and concerns

A. Admit doubts and feelings Ps 77:4,7-9

(ESV) Psalms 77 4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. … 7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?

8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

1. Common questions

* Have I been rejected by God? * Am I beyond hope? * Does God love Me? Are God’s promises real? * Will God be merciful? * Is God angry at me?

2. Seems like this time will last forever

B. Seek intentionally to move forward Ps 77:5-6

(ESV) Psalms 77 5 I consider the days of old, the years long ago.

6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:

1. Doesn’t desire to stay here. Chooses to move forward

C. Work through the feelings based on knowledge of Him Ps 77:8-9

(ESV) Psalms 77 7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?

8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

1. In facing them directly he is able to see the illogic

2. Each thing is a conflict – can’t be

a) Spurned vs. favor

b) Steadfast love – cease

c) Promises – end

d) God – stop being gracious

e) Compassion - anger

CONSIDER --- Deal with your doubts and concerns in the midst of your dry place. Admit them but move forward based on your knowledge of Him.

And in the Dry Place: Redirect your thoughts by faith

(ESV) Psalms 77 10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. 15 You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

11:30 Song: If I Could Just Sit with You A While

III. In the Dry Place: Redirect your thoughts by faith

A. A choice to make by faith

(ESV) Psalms 77 10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

1. Will demand faith (question: believe what you know about God or the feelings that arises because of the current circumstances)

B. A matter of the mind and will

(ESV) Psalms 77 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

1. Battle in the mind – can control thoughts

2. Must choose to think differently (transition – then) – a matter of the will and mind

C. Dwelling on Him and His acts among His people

(ESV) Psalms 77 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. 15 You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

1. The Lord “El Elyon” God – Most High / the creator and protector of the universe – the one in charge of all nature and superior to any other so called authority

2. He acts among His people

3. He redeems with His strength

CONSIDER --- Redirect your thoughts in the midst of your dry place – Consider the character and power of God

And In the Dry Place: Trust the Lord who is still Lord

(ESV) Psalms 77 16 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron

11:43 Song: Redeemer

IV. In the Dry Place: Trust the Lord who is still Lord

A. He is still Lord

1. He brings that salvation out of chaos

(ESV) Psalms 77 16 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.

B. He will lead in the midst of the chaos

(ESV) Psalms 77 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

1. Even though He might not be seen

C. He will lead as a shepherd

(ESV) Psalms 77 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

CONSIDER --- Trust the Lord to be Lord in the midst of your dry place

Invitation

12:00 Song: My Eyes are Dry