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A Battle Plan for Days of Trouble and Nights of Restlessness
Days of trouble come. To all of us. Maybe you’ve recently experienced a day of trouble or a night of restlessness and you didn’t even realize how much you had in common with Asaph, the author of Psalm 77. Here’s a glimpse into his troubled heart:
- In the night my hand is stretched out without wearying (77:2)
- My soul refuses to be comforted (77:2)
- I moan and my spirit faints (77:3)
- My eyelids are open (77:4)
- I am so troubled that I cannot speak (77:4)
- Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? (77:7)
- Has God’s steadfast love forever ceased? (77:8)
- Are his promises at an end for all time? (77:8)
- Has God forgotten to be gracious? (77:9)
- Has he in anger shut up his compassion? (77:9)
Days of trouble come, but here’s the question: where do you turn in days of trouble? On what do you meditate during nights of extreme restlessness? After all of the above, Asaph lands on remembrance: “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old” (77:11).
The next time you experience a day of trouble or a night of weary restlessness, think of Asaph. Read Psalm 77 and remember. The God who worked wonders in the lives of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Deborah, Gideon, Samson, Samuel, David, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel continues to reign. His right hand is still mighty. He is everlastingly faithful and holy.
In the day of trouble and night of restlessness, turn off the television, log off of the Internet, and appeal “to the years of the right hand of the Most High” (77:10). Remember his wonders of old. Meditate on his mighty deeds. He can use those ancient accounts of deliverance, conquest, and victory to break the grip of doubt and despair in your life. Remember, meditate, and appeal.
