What To Do in Troubling Times
From congregational readings in Psalm 77, Sept 21, 08 – bk@kluth.org
1 - Reach out to God
Ps 77:1-4 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
Rom 8:26-28 The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2 - Remember the songs of God
Ps 77:5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired: "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah Ps 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
3 - Recall the works of God
Ps 77:10-12 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the Lord ; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
1 Sam 17:33-37 (King Saul replied to David), "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."
4 - Rejoice in the power of God
Ps 77:13-14 Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Phil 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
5 - Rest in the guidance of God
Ps 77:15, 18-20 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah …Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Ps 62:5-6 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Ps 73:24-25 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Ps 17:15 But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us. TLB
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DAILY BIBLE READINGS: This week read Ps 69-75