If you read five psalms and one proverb every day, you'll have read both books in a month. Most days this is two to three pages of reading, which is completely doable and always a blessing. Plus, it starts a new habit of spending time with God every single day - you'll start craving the opportunity to sit with Him and see what He has to share with you today.
Last week I connected with the psalmist Asaph during my psalm-reading time. As he started Psalm 77, he was clearly overwhelmed with whatever was happening in his life at the moment. Ever have that overwhelmed feeling? Me too.
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Psalm 77:1-6
Then he starts questioning God, wondering why he was going through these painful times. We've all be there, too.
Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. Psalm 77:7-9
It's ok to question God, just not while shaking your fist. The heart attitude you approach God in makes all the difference in the world.
This is my infirmity... Psalm 77:10
He just spent nine verses laying out his heart before God. This is it - all the stinky, painful, overwhelming things. I know what that feels like, for my spirit to be overwhelmed within me. Life happens, and often it all happens at once.
...but! One of the best Bible words ever.
but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Psalm 77:10-12
As Asaph looks back at where he's come from to get to this moment, he realizes that God's brought him through everything before. He remembers what God has already done, what He's fixed, how He's comforted, when He stepped in and did the best thing at the perfect moment.
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Psalm 77:13-20
The remainder of the psalm sings of the goodness of God. Asaph goes back through the times when God saved, did wonders, protected, made the earth tremble, and led His people to the next thing.
Yes, this moment, today, on this Monday morning, may be difficult, it may painful and discouraging, but this is the moment when we have to look back at what God's already done and trust that He's preparing to do it again. Let's face the day remembering that He's been with us all along the way and He's not going anywhere now.
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