Psalm 77 help in the dry times
Help in the Dry Seasons
Finding our way out of depressing times
Psalm 77
It has been a few days of pain and hurt. Tragedy. How does one respond?
May not be major tragedy. Maybe a slow decline. At the end of the year – the toll of stress can take its toll. We have dry seasons also. A million different factors of life pull at our life’s energy daily. At times it seems like we won’t make it. They may be lengthy times with deep depression or searching. They may be shorter time frames of recurring discouragement or disappointment. Whether serious and long term or just disruptive and periodic, it is especially at times like these that we need to turn to our owner for His care. He can provide the deep watering that we need. He can give us renewed vitality and life. In fact, in the midst of our hottest, driest summer, we can prosper and reflect the inner joy that comes from Him.
The psalmist understood this well. In Psalm 77, he shares with us his experience of returning from one of these dry seasons in his life. From his experience we can derive principles that will help us in depressing times. If you are struggling today (who of us don’t at times). These truths can help you find new strength and vitality.
I. Call out to the Lord
Psalm 77
1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
A. Seeking the true source for help
B. Knowing He is desires to help
The NET Bible 1b “I will cry out to God and he will pay attention to me
C. Focusing intently and intentionally
1. Cried out/ sought/ stretched out hands (prayer) without tiring /
2. Refused to be satisfied with anything less than God’s help
II. Recall past blessing
3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
A. The dry times are not the norm for the child of God
B. Remember past blessing was abundant
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
C. The previous blessing of God serves as catalyst in the dry time – it is hope for the future
1. It has been better – can be again – perspective
2. May not be as bad as it feels if review the blessing that still exist
3. Drives to move out of this place of dryness
III. Deal with your doubts and concerns
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” Selah
A. Seems like this time will last forever
B. Admit doubts and feelings
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?
C. Begin to work through the feelings based on knowledge of Him
1. In facing them directly he is able to see the illogic
IV. Choose to redirect your thoughts by faith
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
NKJV 10
But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord ;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
A. A matter of faith
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
1. Must choose to think differently (transition – then) – a matter of the will and mind
2. Battle in the mind – can control thoughts
C. A matter of dwelling on Him and His acts among His people
… “To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
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
13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
V. Trust God to deliver
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
A. He will deliver
1. He brings that salvation out of chaos
16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.