The Word is Alive


Psalm 77
To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.

1I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.

2In 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.

3When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

4You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

5I consider the days of old, the years long ago.

6I 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?

8Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?

9Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

10Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

11I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

12I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

13Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

14You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

15You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.

17The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.

18The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.

19Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

20You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.



Dear Lord, Holy God, Who alone can hear the cries of my heart

The times press in around me
I awake in the night and ponder my days

And the weariness settles in, there appears to be no comfort

When I think of You, my troubles do not disappear

I struggle and my sorrow seems greater than Your strength

I have no answers



Then my mind wanders back, remembering Your work

My heart considers Your greatness and the miracles You have given me

I am blessed by a strong and loving family; parents, spouse, children, grandchildren

My friends are myriad and as dear to me as siblings

I have meaningful work to do and resources that help me do it

You come into each day giving creativity and drive to work in Your kingdom

You have all the answers



Your ways are perfect, O Lord

I have only to look back over my life

And there is Your mighty hand at in every moment

I will continue to seek Your face

For in You there is purpose and beauty, strength and grace

The memories of Your power in my life are too many to count

I will sing and speak Your praises forever.



This psalm inspired me to make it my own. I wasn’t present when the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea. But a quick review shows me God’s love and strength in my own life. I didn’t fight for The Promised Land or need to look to God when enslaved. Instead I see Him in the smiles of my family and hugs of my friends. I don’t know about a life of want or need but I do know that God has provided healing, resources, and grace through Jesus. For all of those things, He is to be remembered and praised. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

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