15. God’s Help In Adversity

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Hymns: RHC 346 Be Still, My Soul; 318 Blessed Assurance; 539 Beyond the Sunset

PSALM 77

1 To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, evenunto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth hispromise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This ismy infirmity: but I will rememberthe years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, isin the sanctuary: who is sogreat a God as ourGod? 14 Thou artthe God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 15 Thou hast with thinearm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. 16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. 17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. 18 The voice of thy thunder wasin the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. 19 Thy way isin the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. 20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.Psalms 77:1-20 (KJV)

GOD’S HELP IN ADVERSITY

OUTLINE

  • Remaining in God’s Presence though trouble assailed (v1-3)
    • Cried to God (v1)
    • Sought God (v2)
    • Remembered God (v3)
  • Resting in God’s Promises when doubts prevailed (v4-9)
  • Recalling God’s Past Faithfulness and strength renewed (v10-15)
  • Reliance on God’s Providence, confidence assured (v16-20)


INTRODUCTION

In times of trouble, when the soul refused to be comforted by reason of the overwhelmingly distressing situation that has arisen, what do we do? When the heart is wont to complain and murmur against God, whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he! O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

(1) Remaining in God’s Presence though trouble assailed (v1-3)

(a) Cried to God (v1)

(b) Sought God (v2)

(c) Remembered God (v3)

1I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

This is the blessed assurance for all who in faith call upon the Lord in time of adversity. The psalmist testifies this truth for our learning. He called with his voice to God. It was an audible cry for this was his expression of faith. God answered his prayer.

2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

He was in dire straits and distress when he sought his Master to lead and guide him. Notice that the word “Lord” is used twice (v2, 7) alluding to God’s ability to give instruction and direction in helpless moments like this. He resorted to God, the emphasis is on the completed action of seeking. His “hand” poured out to God in the night till he was numbed. He was physically distraught – very upset. His soul just could not be comforted.

3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

He forgets not his God, yet he murmured (was troubled) and complained, for his own spirit was weak! Pause.

(2) Resting in God’s Promises when doubts prevailed (v4-9)

4Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

He could not sleep. It is as God holding up his eyelids to keep his eyes open for the anguish in his heart to a point where now he was no words to express. It is as if he is dumbfounded.

5I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

He recounted his own experience of God’s dealing with him.

6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

He sang the songs that would comfort his heart in the past and pondered upon his life thus far.

7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

He is reminded that he is a child of God and therefore he asked “Can God’s covenant with his children ever fail?” Are these questions of doubt in his heart? Possibly! He was wrestling with God in his heart not to be overwhelmed by his present circumstance. All the answers must be in the negative as we take a firm grip of God’s covenantal promises to His children. 

(3) Recalling God’s Past Faithfulness and strength renewed (v10-15)

10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

He acknowledged that it is his corrupt old self to doubt but He will take hold of the truth that God has assuredly been upholding him through his life since the time he entrusted his life to Him. 

11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

This is the turning point as he recalled the truths of God’s Word that declares His glorious works done for His children. Notice the invoking of God’s covenantal name “LORD” alluding to His unfailing faithfulness. He is always true to His promises. 

At the end of the psalm, Moses and Aaron is mentioned as example of God’s appointed shepherd to care for the Israelites throughout their wilderness travel. God did not once fail them – a pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night, manna and meat, fountains of water, shoes that did not wear out. Even the great sea parted to make a pathway for them to be delivered from the pursuing Egyptian army. He took time to ponder and consider God’s past faithfulness in His Word. What about in my life? Has God not been faithful in the past?

13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

At this point, spiritual strength is renewed in his heart. He recalled the adversity that Jacob and Joseph went through in their lives. In every seemingly impossible situation God delivered them. He declared God is truly great!   

(4) Reliance unto God’s Providence, confidence assured (v16-20)

16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. 17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. 18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. 19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.  20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Although his circumstance remained adverse as he sees the raging waves and the troubled waters of his life. He was not longer distressed. He saw the silver lining in the dark cloud! He looked now with renewed eyes of faith at his predicament. He knew in his heart that God will see him through. God will guide and care for him, he can rely on His LORD.

CONCLUSION

May we too avail ourselves to God trusting in His promises, His ability and His care through every adversity in life.