07/26/2026
I was reading in Psalm 77.
It’s a good one.
It’s real, honest, and raw.
The writer, Asaph, seems to be going through an especially hard time with what he is watching in his world.
As you read through it, you can clearly see how his faith in the Lord is being challenged.
He is struggling.
And yet, he knows his God will not let him go.
This is one of the most beautiful things about this book called Psalms.
The challenges are expressed. The broken heart is exposed. And then, the praise is spoken out loud.
What a gift we have in this book.
I read it often.
The truth is, the Word of God will never let us down when we go to it with an open heart to receive. It can’t, because it is His words spoken, and He doesn’t lie. God always tells us the truth, although sometimes hard to hear, it is the truth.
And these people who God used to write these beautiful, poetic, worship songs, who went through it, like we go through it, speak to us and encourage us to not give up.
Thank you Heavenly Papa for the provision of Your Word!
So if you would indulge me here for a moment, I’d like to share a few thoughts that really encouraged me in this particular psalm.
***The first thought is when Asaph says he cries out to the Lord, he expects the Lord to hear him. To understand him. To know all there is to know about him.
He describes that he is overwhelmed; that he is so troubled he can’t speak. He is pondering on the Lord and His ways, seeking to understand the trouble he finds himself in.
I believe Asaph takes into account that God sees what he can’t see, even in the midst of all the questions.
***The second thought or thoughts are all about the questions he is asking (in verses 7-9).
Questions can come in like a flood. Oftentimes because we are not seeing the response from God we want, or we are overwhelmed, or it is just taking so long for things to move or change.
“God, will You cast us off forever?”
“God, are You pushing us aside? Rejecting us?”
The answer is no.
The answer is no because that would go against His word and who He is.
However what I identify with when the psalmist asks these questions is that I can ask the questions. In my hard valley that I am walking through, I can ask about all the things. God doesn’t get angry. He can take it.
So, that’s what I do then.
I ask Him.
“Do you see me? Do you hear me? How much longer? What’s going to happen if nothing changes in a year? Or 2 years? Or 4 years?”
And God speaks.
I have heard Him tell me time and time again to remember…
“Remember Jani. Remember My works in the past. Remember each memorial stone we have laid down together. Remember the wonder of My grace and My mercy. Remember I cannot lie, so if I say I am working, I am working. Remember how to wait on Me; it isn’t done in your strength, but Mine. Remember to think about Me. Put Me first. Talk about Me. You will find Me.”
My questions actually lead me into His heart.
***And my last thought…
God is the God of my battles. I heard someone say a long time ago that my trials and tribulations know His name. And I have always remembered that.
He leads us like a flock, for He is the best Shepherd.
He takes us by the hand, and bids us to follow.
His arm is strong enough to hold me. And He will not let me fall.
Psalm 89:13-14
“You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face.”
These verses not only speak of God’s strong arm but what is at the foundation of who He is as He upholds us. God is righteous always, and just. He is forever merciful in His ways. He is forever truthful in word and deed.
It is absolutely necessary to know who it is I follow. I must get to know Him. I already know myself. No more time needed there. But, to know God! This is a must for my trust (ok, didn’t mean to rhyme there).
Dearest reader, come with me and let’s grow deeper and deeper into who our God is. If your path is a battleground, believe that He hears you, sees you. Please know that it is ok to ask all the questions, but listen to Him as He responds with truth and direction. We are not alone, so throw any coercive thoughtlife that says this, into the fire. We have a mighty, holy God who upholds us with His righteous right hand. Wait in His strength. God is working. It may be very tough, but do not rest on your own wits to get you through.
We cannot serve two masters. Meaning I cannot rely on my own strength and God’s strength. Am I serving myself by trusting in myself? Or am I fully relying on Him.
We must understand we cannot do both.
Our God has everything we need right at this moment.
Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matt. 11:28-30)
My peace comes only from yoking myself to Jesus. It is not about what I can do.
The assurance that I won’t miss anything God says, is all about surrendering it all to Him.
So my answer for my battles is to yoke myself to Jesus. For how else can I be led?
Oh heart, riddled with continuous care, be disrupted with the gift of enduring faith in the One who knows thee best.
