A Message of HOPE in Difficult Times.
She turned to me, her eyes filled with disappointment. “I had so much planned for 2020,” she sighed. “There was so much excitement for this new year. But now, what? Can we just go back to life ten years ago? Everything was better then, and now there’s no hope.”
My heart ached as I heard her words. I wanted to reassure her, to tell her that everything would be alright. “This, too, shall pass,” I said, quoting a Christian saying. But as I spoke, I couldn’t help but wonder if those words were truly comforting.
Have you ever been in a difficult situation and someone says, “This too, shall pass”? While the words may be true, I’ve never found them comforting. Instead, I felt a deep sense of empathy for her and wanted to offer her a different kind of hope—hope that comes from God’s Word.
So, I listened to her, trying to understand her pain and when she asked, I attempted to offer her some comfort through the teachings of the Bible.
Psalm 77 is an apt Psalm for our current circumstances. We are undoubtedly in a “day of trouble,” uncertain about the future and the long-term impact of COVID-19 on our lives and those of our children. We are not sure if we will regain our jobs or if life will ever return to “normal.” If such a thing exists. Amidst all this uncertainty, economic crises, and health crises, trouble has found us, just as it did Asaph when he penned these words. Perhaps that’s the beauty of this Psalm—it is a lament suitable for anyone experiencing a “day of trouble.”
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN
The heading of Psalm 77 states that Asaph is writing to The Chief Musician. The chief musician, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:31, was the master or director of the sacred music of the sanctuary. However, this title also serves as a metaphor for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Charles Spurgeon beautifully expressed, “Jesus is chief everywhere, and in all the holy songs of his saints, he is the Chief Musician.”
During times of trouble, our Chief Musician is always present, ready to listen to our prayers, cries, laments, or complaints. Unfortunately, we often resort to confiding in our spouses or best friends, airing our grievances on social media, or venting our fears and worries around the water cooler. However, Asaph demonstrated a different approach by directly addressing The Chief Musician and laying his worries at his feet.
Our lives are like a masterpiece, a grand Symphony of Praise, and The Chief Musician is the conductor of this symphony. (Ephesians 2:10) In the face of trouble, we should seek His presence and guidance.
While it’s commendable to seek advice from a pastor, advisor, spouse, or friend during challenging times, they are not the ones writing our Symphony of Praise. People will enter our lives, contributing their own parts, measures, solos, or duets. However, The Chief Musician is the conductor, guiding us through the song of our lives. He knows us better than anyone else and will ensure our comfort during our trials. Before you go to them . . . go to Him.
SIGHING.
"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. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. You don't let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! 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." - Psalm 77:1-6 NLT
As you read that passage, we observe that Asaph is experiencing a moment of deep sighing. Sighing is a long, drawn-out, and audible breath that conveys feelings of sadness, grief, or exhaustion. Asaph’s day has been marked by significant troubles, leading him to express his distress through deep sighing. The English Standard Version (ESV) uses the word “I” nine times, “me” and “my” twelve times, highlighting the prevalence of personal pronouns in Asaph’s expression.
Interestingly, this emphasis on personal pronouns is not necessarily a negative aspect. In times of sadness, grief, or exhaustion, individuals often find themselves inwardly focused, and personal pronouns serve as a natural way to express their emotions and experiences. Asaph’s tears are not just a physical expression but also a profound emotional outpouring to God. Despite his deep trouble and the overwhelming sense of self-centeredness, Asaph demonstrates a remarkable act of vulnerability by seeking God’s presence and engaging in prayer and surrender.
This is the posture we need in our day of trouble, Friends.
Surrender.
Prayer.
Deep cries to the Lord as we search for Him in trouble.
But what happens when we do all these things and still aren’t comforted? Asaph continues to express his distress, saying that even though he prayed, cried, and surrendered to God, his soul remained unsoothed, and he couldn’t sleep because of the trouble he was facing. In fact, Asaph goes on to say that when he thinks of God, he can’t help but moan! He yearns for God’s assistance, for the good old days, and for nights filled with joyful songs.
You can sense the grief, the sadness, and the deep sighs in his words. Friends, many of us are in the same boat as Asaph. We’ve lost sleep; we don’t feel like praying; and even when we do, we don’t find comfort. Our sighs are long and heavy, and we long for the good old days when life was better.
Sighing to the Lord is okay . . . for a season.
Pouring out your heart and immersing yourself in grief is okay . . . for a season.
Not feeling comforted and longing for the past is okay . . . for a season.
Me, my, and I is okay . . . for a season.
But, we can't stay there, because our sighing soon turns into sinking if we are not careful.
SINKING.
"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? And I said, 'This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.'" - Psalm 77:7-10 NLT
The more Asaph’s thoughts turned inward, focusing solely on himself and his own needs (see vs. 1-6), the further he drifted away from the essence of God. As he centered his attention solely on himself, he began to question God’s character and attributes. It’s a common occurrence for us to find ourselves questioning God’s faithfulness, steadfast love, and graciousness at times. I know I’ve had my moments of doubt. “Your Word says you’re faithful, but God, I feel like you’ve rejected me. Your Word says you show steadfast love, but I feel like your love has vanished forever. Your Word says you’re full of grace, but have you lifted your graciousness off of me?”
The more we focus on ourselves, the deeper we sink into despair, eventually losing sight of who God is and what He has promised. Our sighs turn into despair when we fail to remember that our God is God. He is unchanging, and even in the midst of our troubles, He will never abandon us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
After sinking into verses 7-9, there is a word in the margin that is key:
SELAH - stop. pause. rest. consider.
Asaph ceases questioning God’s character. He wipes away his tears and realizes that if the Lord had brought him to this day of sorrow, he will endure it. “I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. Not the fleeting moments, hours, or days of a few brief afflictions, but the years of His right hand; those enduring, expansive, and boundless mercies with which He has comforted me.” - Thomas Adams.
My friends, if your sighs have turned into despair and you have begun to doubt God’s unchanging character, remember this: take a moment to pause. Breathe deeply and stop the whirlwind of thoughts in your mind. Reflect on the years of His goodness to you. Remember how His power has repeatedly saved you. Remember His grace, His mercy, and His boundless love for your life.
SINGING.
In verse 10, Asaph stops and pauses and remembers the years that God has been good and faithful. And when he stops the sighing and sinking, look at what happens . . .
"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. 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." Psalm 77:11-15 NLT
Asaph begins to sing, shifting his focus from his own troubles to the Lord. The pronouns “me,” “my,” and “I” transform into “YOU” and “YOUR!” This profound change in worship transformed Asaph’s perspective on his day of trouble.
When we worship, we shift our focus from our own struggles and anxieties to the Lord. We acknowledge that He has redeemed His people and that His way is holy, O God. We recognize Him as a God who works wonders. Worship takes our attention away from our problems and places it on the solution. It lifts us when we are sinking and brings us back to our rightful place—in the secret place of the Most High.
Did Asaph’s day of trouble disappear? The Bible doesn’t explicitly state that it did. However, it’s important to remember that your worship may not eliminate your troubles, my friend. But it can change your perspective as you navigate through them. Just as the Red Sea didn’t magically vanish when Israel faced their day of trouble, your worship won’t eliminate your challenges. However, it can transform your outlook and provide you with a sense of hope and assurance.
As your sighs transform into songs and your worries turn into worship, the God who works wonders will hold your hand every step of the way. He will guide you and deliver you.
SOARING.
As we close out our study on Psalm 77, we come to from soaring and sinking to singing and soaring!
"When the Red Sea saw you, O God, its waters looked and trembled! The sea quaked to its very depths. The clouds poured down rain; the thunder rumbled in the sky. Your arrows of lightning flashed. Your thunder roared from the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world! The earth trembled and shook. Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters— a pathway no one knew was there! You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds." - Psalm 77:16-20
Asaph’s songs of worship transformed into soaring above the day of trouble. As he recalled the goodness of God, he found solace in the midst of distress. Through worship, Asaph reached a place where he remembered God’s remarkable acts for Israel. During their perilous situation between the Red Sea and the Egyptians, God miraculously created a path through the vast waters.
Take a moment today to reflect on five, ten, fifteen, or even more ways that God has saved you in the past.
Consider how He has guided you through your challenging days and delivered you from adversity.
Think about the individuals who have crossed your path, showing you the hands and feet of Jesus during difficult times.
Write down these experiences and cherish the memories.
Soaring above your troubles will reveal that God has been leading you all along. He has been holding you close. When you “saw only one set of footprints in the sand,” it was then that I realized I was carrying you.
We all experience challenging days, friends. Jesus assures us that in this world, we will face tribulation. However, we can remain hopeful because our Lord has conquered the world and provided us with a means to overcome.
In your time of distress, seek solace in The Chief Musician in SIGHING. Pour out your sorrows and sorrows to Him in prayer. However, be cautious that your inner thoughts don’t lead to despair. If you find yourself SINKING and questioning God’s character, SELAH . . . pause and reflect on His goodness.
Turn your worries into worship and start SINGING to the Lord. Express your awe of His wonderful nature and sing about His faithfulness, kindness, and grace. As you worship, your perspective shifts. The troublesome day may persist, but you can rise above them and gain a divine perspective. By SOARING above the problem, fixated on the solution, you realize that He has been guiding you all along. He has been carrying you.
