At the beginning of Psalm 77, Asaph recounts a miserable night: it was late but he couldn't sleep (v. 4), he prayed but he couldn't find peace (v. 1-2), and thinking about God only made him groan (v.3). He wonders aloud if God's endless love had ended and if his unbreakable promises had been broken (v.8). He wonders if the gracious and compassionate God had stopped being gracious and compassionate (v.9). In the midst of his misery, Asaph makes a decision not to focus on his circumstances, but to focus on God, and the ways he's shown his love and power in the past, especially in delivering his people from slavery in Egypt (even splitting a sea in two to accomplish their rescue). When he focuses on God, and begins to proclaim his works and his love, he finds in praise the peace that had previously eluded him.
O Lord, like Asaph, we can find peace to be elusive. Sometimes our circumstances overwhelm us, and we wonder if you've stopped loving us, or have forgotten about us. Lord, when we feel this way, help us to turn to you, just like Asaph did. Help us focus not on our problems, but on you, our God who is bigger than all of our problems. Remind us of all the stories of your faithfulness we've read from those who have gone before us; and those testimonies we've heard of people we have personally known; and remind us of the experiences we've had in our own life of your grace, mercy, and peace. Let us wonder at your love and praise you again. And in praise, let us find your peace again, knowing you will always be faithful, loving, and true.
When others around us wrestle with circumstances and doubts, Lord, grant that we might be instruments of your peace, sharing testimonies of your goodness that spark hope and faith, and praise and peace once more. In Jesus' name, amen.
