Psalm 77:1 For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm. I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah
4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
7 "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah
Have you as a seasoned Christian ever awakened one morning and realized you were far from God? Or, perhaps in the evening or late afternoon, have you ever paused and said to yourself, "When is the last time I have really, really prayed to God conversationally and spent an intimate, extended time of fellowship with Him?"
Even the best of Christians pass through seasons of winter and times when they stray from the close warmth of God. Hear David, a man after God's own heart, in the closing verse of Psalm 119--
Psalm 119:176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
The Psalmist in Psalm 77 has found himself in a condition of not being as close to God as he would like, not as close as he once was. He feels the chill very deeply, and he is distressed. Perhaps his having strayed and wandered from the narrow path of obedience to God's Word and intimate fellowship with Him has caused problems in certain other areas of his life.
But notice how earnestly and passionately he cries out for help in Verses 1-6 above. He is just like a lost sheep, who, lifting his head from munching on a bite of grass, discovers that he is alone, separated from the flock, separated from his Good Shepherd. There is a smell of danger and death in the air. Perhaps the wolf is lurking not far away.
What does the sheep do? He bleats with all his strength and might. Everything else vanishes from his consciousness. Everything else pales in significance next to his completely overwhelming need to get back under the rod of his Shepherd.
That is what this Psalmist is doing. He is crying out to God with all his might, just like a lost sheep. He will not rest or sleep again until he hears in his heart the soothing, calming voice of his Good Shepherd.
Will the Shepherd come? Yes, my friends, He will.
John 7:17 "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority."
Jesus applied this saying to Himself, but we can apply it to all our pastors and teachers as well. The key to personal revival is first to have an absolute commitment to obey the Word of the Lord, to follow where He leads. Then you will hear His voice leading and guiding you where He wants you to go.
John 21:18 "Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish."
--------------
--------------
I pray, Lord Jesus, that this "other" will be You. You promise in Revelation 3:20 that you are standing outside my door, waiting for me to open. I pray Lord, that through my obedience to Your Word, You will come into my heart and fellowship with me, just like You used to do when we first met. I love You, Lord. I pray that You will stir my love and restore to me the intimacy I once had with You. I know that this is also Your will for me. Help me, Lord, to hear and readily obey Your Word for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
auntpreble_blog@yahoo.com
Posts
