Today, I have friends who have a hurting child. After weeks of suffering, numerous appointments with doctors, several emergency room visits, and a couple diagnoses, they still have no clear path forward. Meanwhile, their precious child hurts.
Today, are you suffering? Are you struggling to sleep? Do you have questions for God?
If so, Asaph can identify with you.
If so, Jesus can identify with you.
Psalm 77 To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Asaph was a deeply spiritual man. However, despite his gifted and maturing righteousness, he suffered greatly. This day was his “day of trouble.” This friend of God described himself as having a soul that refused to be comforted. He had a spirit characterized by moaning and fainting. Asaph could not talk about his pain during the day, and sleep evaded him during the night. And all of this pain continued on despite his stretching out his hands and crying aloud to God.
Therefore, Asaph, had hard questions:
- Will the Lord spurn or reject with disdain forever?
- Will the Lord never again be favorable?
- Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
- Are his promises at an end for all time?
- Has God forgotten to be gracious?
- Has he in anger shut up his compassion?
However, Asaph also contemplated God’s faithfulness. He rehearsed the Lord’s mighty deeds, wonders, and incomparable international work. He also remembered God’s special redeeming love displayed for his church — the children of Jacob and Joseph. No one could stop the Lord Almighty!
So, Asaph continued going to God in prayer. He did not give up. Like Abraham, he appealed to God continuing his supplication Like Jacob, he wrestled with the deity. He incessantly engaged in asking, seeking, and knocking. Like the bleeding woman, Asaph grabbed God’s feet in prayer. Like Mary Magdalene, he anointed God’s feet with his tears.
However, in addition to his supplication, he began offering prayers of adoration. Even though his circumstances were not immediately changed, his lamentation became mixed with loud lauding.
So, what might I say to my hurting friends?
Your prayers are always heard.
Your prayers are always matched. From above Jesus intercedes. From within, the Spirit bellows.
Your prayers are always answered. He always says “Yes” or No” to your requests. (Some say he says “Wait,” but I consider this a “No” for today.)
Your prayers are wise, for you are privileged to have an audience with the God of Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Peter, Paul, Luther, Knox, Calvin, Mueller, Carey, Witherspoon, Wesley, Whitfield, Edwards, Bonhoeffer, Ten Boon, Graham, and Ericson-Tada. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the only one who help you, and he has a long history of helping his favorite people — those clothed in the righteousness of his Son.
Unfathomable Grace 