GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS (Psalm 77) by Trish Reimer

The message of this psalm is that to brood on sorrow is to be broken and disheartened, while to see God is to sing on the darkest day.  Once we come to know that our years are of His right hand, there is light everywhere (G. Campbell Morgan)

Observe:  Psalm 77 can be split into two parts – the first part where the psalmist cries out to God in distress, experiencing profound difficulties and feels that his cries to God are largely ignored.  It is only in remembering the past that he can see anything even resembling joy. (verses 1 - 12) The second part shows the greatness of God and His faithfulness in His sanctuary and at the Red Sea. (verses 13 – 20)

Interpretation and Application:  Do you ever doubt God?  If you do, do you ever think that you’re not a Christian because of that doubt? If you’ve been reading the psalms regularly, you know that this is not true.  We human beings tend to bring God down to our level – if we forget, God must forget, if we break our promises, God must do so as well.  Thankfully, that is not at all true! God is not like us.  The psalmist recalls the mighty deeds of God, particularly at the Red Sea.  He recalls the miracles that the children of Israel were privileged to see and tells of God’s power and might.  It was God’s path that led them through the sea, not theirs.  Even though they couldn’t see His footprints, He was there and led them.  He was faithful then and He is faithful now.  I’m sure most of you have read the poem “Footprints”.  If not, I’ll do a short re-cap for you.  A man dreamt that he was walking along the sand with God.  He was able to see two sets of footprints – his and God’s.  However, at the lowest times in his life, he only saw one set of footprints.  When he asked the Lord why He would abandon him at the worst moments in his life, the Lord answered him saying:  “My child, that was when I carried you – those are my footprints that you see!”  Let us remember that God is faithful to the end – He leads us along the path He has for us and will never abandon us, even when we feel He has vanished.  He is carrying us in His arms at our most vulnerable times and shows us His mercy, unfailing love, and His faithful promises. Great is His faithfulness!

Prayer:  Dear Lord, help me not to bring you down to my level, but to recognize and praise you for your constant faithfulness and love.  Even when I feel abandoned, help me to put my trust in you especially as I have seen your power, might, mercy, and miracles in the past.  Help me to consider all your works and meditate on your mighty deeds.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Song:  Great is Thy Faithfulness