In Psalms 77 How Can Remembering Gods Past Faithfulness Help Us In Our Current Struggles?
Remembering God’s Faithfulness in Times of Struggle: A Study of Psalm 77
Psalm 77 captures a journey from despair to hope, showing us how remembering God’s past faithfulness can give us strength in present difficulties. This psalm, written by Asaph, is a heartfelt cry in a time of trouble, but it shifts dramatically as the psalmist recalls the mighty works of God. Let’s explore how this principle can transform our struggles today.
The Honest Cry of Distress
The psalm opens with Asaph’s anguish:
I cry with my voice unto God, Even unto God with my voice; and he will give ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My hand was stretched out in the night, and slacked not; My soul refused to be comforted. - Psalm 77:1-2 ASV
Asaph does not hide his pain. He admits to sleepless nights and a troubled spirit (see Psalm 77:4 ASV). His questions are ones we might ask ourselves in hardship:
Will the Lord cast off forever? And will he be favorable no more? Is his lovingkindness clean gone forever? Doth his promise fail for evermore? - Psalm 77:7-8 ASV
This honesty before God is an important starting point. The psalmist does not pretend, nor does he withdraw—he brings his pain to the Lord.
The Turning Point: Choosing to Remember
The heart of Psalm 77 is the pivot from complaint to remembrance:
And I said, This is my infirmity; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will make mention of the deeds of Jehovah; For I will remember thy wonders of old. - Psalm 77:10-11 ASV
Asaph decides to shift his focus from present troubles to what God has done in the past. This is a deliberate act of faith, not merely nostalgia. He meditates on God’s “wonders of old,” reminding himself and others of God’s power and faithfulness.
The Power of Remembrance
Why is remembering God’s past works so powerful for believers? Scripture repeatedly teaches that God’s faithfulness in the past is a sure foundation for hope in the future:
- God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6 ASV; Hebrews 13:8 ASV).
- His promises never fail (Numbers 23:19 ASV).
- He is able to deliver and sustain His people (Isaiah 46:4 ASV).
The psalmist recounts God’s mighty acts, particularly the deliverance at the Red Sea (Psalm 77:16-20 ASV). This act of remembering strengthens faith and shifts the heart from despair to worship.
Application: How Does This Help Us Today?
When we face trials, our emotions can cloud our perspective. Like Asaph, we may feel abandoned or question God’s goodness. But looking back at God’s faithfulness—both in Scripture and in our own lives—reminds us that He does not change. His past grace is a guarantee of His future help.
Paul echoes this truth:
He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? - Romans 8:32 ASV
The greatest evidence of God’s faithfulness is the cross of Christ. If God has given us Jesus, He will surely be faithful in every circumstance.
In times of struggle, we can:
- Recall specific times God has answered prayer or provided for us.
- Meditate on biblical accounts of God’s deliverance.
- Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness with others, encouraging the body of Christ.
Conclusion
Psalm 77 teaches us that remembering God’s past faithfulness is a powerful antidote to discouragement. It is a discipline rooted in Scripture and essential for enduring faith. In every trial, we can choose to remember and trust the God who has never failed.