Hubby and I stood at the customer service window of a large wholesale store. The line was getting longer because the woman at the window, in a loud voice, gushed demanding questions: You mean I don’t get a refund for my membership? And you won’t compensate me for the items I returned and for the time I spent coming back. And…
Before casting the stone, blaming her for being unreasonable, I took a closer look at my own ranting. And examined the questions I had made when standing at the window of God’s ear: Asking why, how come and when?
But whew! I’m not alone. Asaph did the same thing. In Psalm 77, he lists his questions when he felt cheated by life, abandoned by God and pushed into the puddle of self-pity.
Will he [God] 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?”
Did you ever ask similar questions when life stunk? Yet, as Asaph, we know the answers. But still, in a bizarre sort of way, the “poor, forgotten me” mentality brings a distorted kind of comfort.
But the great news is that God offers real comfort. Like Asaph, we can recalculate our approach. And as noted in Psalm 77, we usher beautiful reassurance our way because instead of questions, we make these four statements that shine with hope:
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD.
Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works.
And consider all your mighty deeds.
How will your mindset change if you ponder on God’s ways, His mighty deeds, His miracles, and the works of His hands?”
Janet P. Eckles
