Always Remember

Read Psalm 77

September 11, 2001 is a day to always remember. We will always remember the horror, the hurt and the disbelief of that historical day 9/11.

Yet as believers we need to always remember that our God is greater than anything we will ever face. In times of chaos, times of pain and times of loss we are called to always remember that our God is able to do more than we can think or imagine.

The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 77 what he did as he wrestled in his time of chaos and pain and loss. First, he cried out to God for help and for God to hear him. In his anxiety he stretched out his hands and yet he was still without comfort and he grew weary.

Next he rattled off question after question - Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favor again? Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?

Now before we're too hard on the Psalmist, stop and consider what we do when tough times come our way. Do we take it in stride or do we begin asking all kinds of questions just like the Psalmist?

But then the Psalmist appeals to the goodness of God. He remembers who God is, the deeds He has done in the past. He recalls the miracles of long ago and begins meditating on all God's mighty works. And what happens next is what we see in sports when momentum shifts. The Psalmist turns a corner and begins rallying in spirit because of who God is!

He rejoices in God because He is holy; because no one is so great as our God. He praises His miracles, His power among the peoples and the redemption He brought the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. All nature responded to God's power - the waters, the clouds and skies, the thunder and lightning and the earth trembled and quaked. And the Psalmist closes with verse 20 recalling how God led His people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

When tough times come what do you do? Do you ask questions? Do you demand answers? All these are natural for us. Yet the Psalmist teaches what is so important - always remember our God is greater. Always remember to worship - rejoice and declare His praises - in the good times and bad.