Refocus: Psalm 77

And I said, "This is my fate;
     the Most High has turned his hand against me."
But then I recall all you have done, Oh Lord;
     I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
     I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
                                                     Psalm 77:10-11
                                           

Have you ever been in such a hopeless situation that you felt that not even God could help?   Have you ever cried out to God in desperation yet felt your pleas went unheard or doubted God's ability to answer them - or worse- that God did not care?

In Psalm 77, we see Asaph in extreme distress making his own desperate plea to God.  And like us,  at first he did not feel God's comforting presence.  He could not be comforted because he doubted in God's care for him and ability to answer his requests. His focus was on himself and his troubles.  He was in such strife that he could not see beyond his own pain. 

But as Asaph continued to pray, we see a shift in focus. Asaph began to recall all of God's wonderful deeds from the past.  And once he started, he could not stop!  His confidence in God's love for him and God's ability to answer prayer were reaffirmed! All doubt was gone!  His desperate pleas were turned into songs of praise!

Our own despair can only be relieved by refocusing on God's holiness and love for us.  When we are distressed, we can respond by remembering all the wonderful deeds God has done, thanking Him for each and every one.  And as we pray, God will heal our broken spirits and shift our focus to Him!  He will turn our desperate pleas into songs of praise! 

Thank God today for all that He has done for you!   Be blessed my friends!
Cathy