From I To Thy

Psalm 77 is a Psalm that begins with distress and ends with praise. There is a specific movement in this Psalm from an inward focused groan to an outward focused praise of God.

In the first 2 verses the Psalmist mentions himself six times.

I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. (Psalms 77:1-2 NLT)

How often we do this when we are in distress. We focus on our feelings, on what we experience, on what is going on and happening to us. Many prayers begin this way. Talking all about what we need, what we think, what we lack.

Slowly the Psalm moves towards a focus on God. Albeit a wrongful thought toward God.

I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. Interlude... I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now. Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? Interlude (Psalms 77:3, 5-9 NLT)

Notice how he is shifted his thoughts towards God only to blame or find accusation against him. This is our habit. It is been our habits is the garden of Eden in the fall. Adam and Eve both blamed God in a subtle way for how they now felt.

Many times are prayers do this as well. We start to blame God for how we feel, question where he is in our lives, wonder if he'll ever help us out again.

A little more self pity...

And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” (Psalm 77:10 NLT)

How easy it is to fall into self-pity when we pray. To play the "woe is me" card. But let's not stop there - just like the Psalmist didn't stop there either...

But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. (Psalms 77:11-12 NLT)

He starts to think biblically. He starts to think about what God has done in the past. His thoughts are going to lead him away from self and toward the mighty Savior.

We can all do this. We can all spend time thinking about God's good work for us in the past and His great works for His people in the scriptures.  This will do two things... Get us to focus on something other than us, which is right because we are NOT the center of the world. And secondly, it will get us a wider perspective to remember we are a part of God's greater plan for creation.

O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Interlude (Psalms 77:13-15 NLT)

This is how time with The Lord should end... On a praise note! No longer obsessed with how we feel... No longer focused on what we think we need right now. But rather thinking about the goodness of our God. Remember how Jesus ended the model prayer? "Yours is the kingdom (not mine), Yours is the power (not mine), Yours is the glory (not mine again) FOREVER!"

Prayer time that doesn't move you from your self to Your Savior is just grumbling. Look up and give Him praise.

Amen.