Is God Still Good When We Can't See It?
Have you ever been stuck between a rock and a hard place? Literally? With the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army behind them, Moses and the Israelites had the chance to find good without God. It was easy to feel like God had abandoned them, but God was moving even though they couldn't see it. How should we respond in our everyday lives when it feels like God isn't moving?
Psalm 77 paints a great picture of lamenting, questioning, and remembering in the midst of hardship and waiting. The psalmist doesn't shy away from being honest about their feelings in Psalm 77:1-6. Full of distress and confusion, the author brings questions to God in verses 7-9, asking if the Lord had rejected or forgotten them.
Instead of leaving the conversation with God in anger or frustration, the author takes a turn. Verses 10-12 state: "And I said, 'This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.' But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works." The author then goes on to remember the power and holiness of God, recalling the story of Moses and the Israelites being redeemed from Egypt.
At the beginning of this prayer, we learn the power of honest vulnerability with God. The author doesn't hide their true feelings; they share deeply and truthfully the grief and hardship that come with their situation. In fact, the author is so confident and sure of God that they bring hard questions in His presence. The author felt abandoned and forgotten, an easy feeling to fall into when anger and frustration take the wheel. But then, the author makes space to recall all the good things God has done. Not to disqualify the hardship, but to rightsize it as it stands next to God's provision and promises.
DIVE DEEPER
Let's put into practice the pattern we learn in Psalm 77: Lament, Question, Remember.
Where in your life are you experiencing a challenge? Be honest and vulnerable with your feelings. Bring those before God.
Now, after you name your vulnerable and honest feelings towards your situation, recall stories of times where God has been good. If you can't think of a personal story, start with scripture or ask those around you.
Now that you hold both of these things together, what questions might you want to bring in front of God? How might you make space to listen for God in the tension between your situation and God's faithfulness?