By Travis Lauterbach
Sometimes people may feel abandoned by God, as though He has left them all alone to face challenges, sorrows, pains, and sufferings. Perhaps someone feels anguish of body, maybe it’s affliction of the mind, or it just might be distress of spirit. But whatever the situation, there’s a feeling of defeat or loneliness, particularly from God Himself.
Psalm 77 was written in the midst of such anguish. The writer questions whether he is cast off, unfavored, without mercy, experiencing broken promises, forgotten, or under God’s wrath.
These are extremely raw emotions felt by the psalmist. Some kind of affliction or series of afflictions obviously trouble him.
Yet, the psalm writer has hope. He says “I will remember.” These simple words fill him with trust, and they can enliven the faith of anyone who feels abandoned by God. He says, “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings” (Psalm 77:11-12, KJV).
The Psalmist recognizes that into the middle of suffering and affliction, God brings comfort. The writer is comforted by the past deeds of God – the mercy that He showed and the salvation that He worked.
He writes, “Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph” (Psalm 77:15). The writer remembers how God saved His people from slavery. For God redeemed them from Pharaoh’s might with His strong arm.
He also remembers how the Lord provided for them as they came to the land that was promised to them. God disciplined them, forgave them, and provided for their needs for 40 years in the wilderness. The Psalmist declares, “Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron” (Psalm 77:20).
In remembering the Lord’s acts of old, the Psalmist is confident that he has not been forgotten. The Lord doesn’t abandon His promises.
In the cross of Jesus, the promise holds true that God has brought deliverance – He doesn’t ignore those crying to him. He brings forgiveness and salvation.