Psalm 77: God Never Changes

​Key Verse
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
 
Meditation
Today’s reading reveals how the unchanging natured of God is both present comfort and future hope for disciples in an ever-changing world.
 
God has worked in the past, evidenced by His mighty acts in redemptive history and His work in our lives personally. But experience does not always match the evidence. The temptation is to elevate accusations against God, that He has somehow changed. The invitation is for us to remember, ponder, and meditate on God and His wonderful work.
 
Asaph begins from a place of despondency, during “a day of trouble” he sought the Lord. (1) Asaph’s affliction led him to accuse God of changing, His steadfast love ceasing and grace forgotten. (7-9) Asaph was wounded because, from his vantage point, God has changed. (10, literal translation)
 
Asaph’s pain turned to praise when he “remembers the deeds of the Lord… (His) wonders of old.” (11) The psalm’s key words teach us how to pull out of the tail spin of despondency, specifically “remember,” “ponder,” and “meditate.” Asaph realized that God had not changed but, in fact, Asaph had changed. Asaph’s realization did not lead his circumstances to change, but meditating on God and His redemptive work made him a changed man. (12-20)
 
This psalm was written centuries ago, and God is still the same! Now we have a better redemption than the exodus, the victory of God through the work of Jesus. But the simple truth remains: No matter how difficult our circumstances, God’s unchanging love invites us to meditate on His unchanging character through remembering, pondering, and meditating on His wonderful, redeeming, work.
 
 
Today’s Reading
I cry aloud to God,
    aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 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.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
    when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
4 You hold my eyelids open;
    I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old,
    the years long ago.
6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;
    let me meditate in my heart.”

    Then my spirit made a diligent search:
7 “Will the Lord spurn forever,
    and never again be favorable?
8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
    Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
    Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
    to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
 
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
    and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
    you have made known your might among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
    the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
16 When the waters saw you, O God,
    when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
    indeed, the deep trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water;
    the skies gave forth thunder;
    your arrows flashed on every side.
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
    your lightnings lighted up the world;
    the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea,
    your path through the great waters;
    yet your footprints were unseen.
20 You led your people like a flock
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the transformation from meditating on God’s redemptive work?
 
-Where do you identity with Asaph, elevating accusations against God that His love has ceased, faithfulness ended, grace forgotten…?
 
-Take time to meditate, ponder, remember the work of Jesus on the cross, allowing your heart to be filled with God’s unchanging love, unchanging faithfulness, unending mercy. As you do, surrender areas of life that can lead you to despondency.
 
Key Verse
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.