Has God Forgotten to Be Gracious?

In times of crisis, has God forgotten to be gracious?

In Psalm 77, Asaph asks questions that you and I struggle with in times of failure or hardships.

v. 7-9

• Will the Lord reject forever and never again show favor?
• Has His faithful love ceased forever?
• Is His promise at an end for all generations?
• Has God forgotten to be gracious?
• Has He in anger withheld His compassion?

It's natural for us to pose these questions and even make demands of our Father. But the tables can turn with God asking us, "Have you forgotten me? Will you reject me forever and never show loyal love? Have you forgotten to be holy?"

Asaph, like you and I at times, kept wondering. But here in from verse 11, he shares with us all he could do in times of doubt and questioning:

1. He begins to remember God's Works.

• I will remember the Lord’s works.
• I will remember Your ancient wonders.
• I will reflect on all You have done.
• I will meditate on Your actions.

2. He begins to reflect on who God is.

• Your way is holy.
• What god is great like God?
• You are the God who works wonders;
• You revealed Your strength among the peoples.
• With power You redeemed Your people,
• The waters saw You; they trembled. Even the depths shook. Your arrows flashed back and forth. The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The earth shook and quaked.
• Your way went through the sea and Your path through the great waters, but Your footprints were unseen.
• You led Your people like a flock.

In times like this, our understanding and confidence may fail us. We may start doubting whether God will really be there when we need Him most. I can only speak for myself about the things going through my mind and heart at this time when the world is shaken upside down.

Australia says the situation may be like this for 6 months, as the country deals with the pandemic, Coronavirus or COVID-19. And this is the situation in many, many countries. Cases are increasing. People are getting infected by the multitude. Death and danger are all around. Sadness and grief. People unleashing out the worst of their human nature. Each one for himself. Hurting others for toilet paper. Losing compassion and kindness over the littlest of things.

Oh God, will you spare my family? Will you shield us from this sickness miraculously. Will our finances hold? Will our supplies last? Will we be able to get what we need when stocks run low? Will we have the means to buy what we need especially now that work opportunities are low?

Oh God, I will remember Your works of old. I will reflect on who You are. I will cling to Your promises. I place myself and my loved ones before Your feet. You are all we have. Save us, as You've been doing over and over.

I believe Lord. Help Thou my unbelief.

“The greater your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God on your life,

the more likely you are to praise Him in the storm.”

– Matt Chandler

“Remembering the goodness of God in the past,

will help us in seasons where it’s harder to see Him.”

– Esther Fleece

“Faith does not eliminate questions.
But faith knows where to take them.”
— Elisabeth Elliot

 “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
– Corrie Ten Boom

“Don’t be a fool.
Recognize your dependence on God.
As the days become dark and the nights become dreary,
realize that there is a God who rules above.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.

photo credit to Marys_fotos