Dispelling Despair
Everyone goes through times of hardship that can lead to despair/depression. In Psalm 77, we get to experience this despair alongside the psalmist, and also his relief for that despair.
The psalmist is weary from his circumstances and begins by crying out to God asking God to hear his prayer. In the midst of his pain and sorrow he turns to God in prayer (77:1-2). His prayer is earnest and intense (77:2). He wanted a resolution to his troubles and not consolation (77:2). In the midst of his disturbing circumstances and feelings he keeps his mind set on God (77:3). Brethren, like the psalmist, prayer is our lifeline when we feel like we cannot go on (77:3).
The psalmist then acknowledges that God is sovereign over his circumstances and is the reason that he cannot sleep at night (77:4). As he searches for answers, he asks questions about the character of God (77:7-10). The answer to these questions is that God has not changed. Yet, in his despair he feels like God has changed the way He deals with him personally (77:10). Brethren, no matter how we feel in our deepest sorrows, God has not changed.
The psalmist changes his focus off of himself and his circumstances and instead meditates on the wondrous works of God (77:11-12). He focuses on the nature of God and how nothing can compare to Him (11:13). He is comforted by thinking about how God delivered Israel out of Egypt as a Shepherd over His flock (77:15-20).
Brethren, like the psalmist we can be comforted that God is greater than our troubles. We must remember to go to God with our sorrow rather than sinking lower into sorrow and selfcenteredness.