May 18
Psalm 75-78
There are times when our emotions are not in line with what we know to be true. We know God loves us, but we do not feel like he does. We know that God is present, but we do not sense his nearness. Psalm 77 describes this situation in the life of Asaph, or possibly his reflection on this in the life of his friend Jeduthun (who oversaw music for God's house like Heman). The psalm reflects on calling out to God in a moment of distress and not feeling comforted. In this moment of confusion, the psalmist remembers past interventions of God in his life. Rather than allowing the confusion to predominate, the psalmist embraces truth. He refuses to allow his emotions to drive his life; instead, he wants the truth of God's character and actions to lead him. He remembers God's deeds (especially the Exodus) and his character (holiness).
When we cannot make sense of our circumstances, these are two critical places for us to turn. We need to remember God's actions and attributes, and allow these, rather than our potentially misleading feelings, to guide our lives. The truth needs to drive our lives rather than our often misguided emotions.
Father God, when I am confused about what you are doing, help me to remember who you are, and what you have done. Thank you for your faithfulness to me. Amen.
When you are confused or distressed, what is one of God’s past actions and one of his attributes to which you can cling?
There are times when our emotions are not in line with what we know to be true. We know God loves us, but we do not feel like he does. We know that God is present, but we do not sense his nearness. Psalm 77 describes this situation in the life of Asaph, or possibly his reflection on this in the life of his friend Jeduthun (who oversaw music for God's house like Heman). The psalm reflects on calling out to God in a moment of distress and not feeling comforted. In this moment of confusion, the psalmist remembers past interventions of God in his life. Rather than allowing the confusion to predominate, the psalmist embraces truth. He refuses to allow his emotions to drive his life; instead, he wants the truth of God's character and actions to lead him. He remembers God's deeds (especially the Exodus) and his character (holiness).
When we cannot make sense of our circumstances, these are two critical places for us to turn. We need to remember God's actions and attributes, and allow these, rather than our potentially misleading feelings, to guide our lives. The truth needs to drive our lives rather than our often misguided emotions.
Father God, when I am confused about what you are doing, help me to remember who you are, and what you have done. Thank you for your faithfulness to me. Amen.
When you are confused or distressed, what is one of God’s past actions and one of his attributes to which you can cling?
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