Psalm 77 - Sleepless

Psalm 77:1-4, 7-15 NIV

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. 

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

 at night I stretched out untiring hands,

 and I would not be comforted. 

I remembered you, God, and I groaned;

 I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. 

You kept my eyes from closing;

 I was too troubled to speak. 

“Will the Lord reject forever? 

Will he never show his favor again? 

Has his unfailing love vanished forever? 

Has his promise failed for all time? 

Has God forgotten to be merciful? 

Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:

 the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. 

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

 yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 

I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” 

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? 

You are the God who performs miracles;

 you display your power among the peoples. 

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,

 the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Psalm 77 is an excellent guide for sleepless nights caused by a troubled mind or restless heart. The prayer recounts calling upon God for help, but help doesn't seem to come.

Have you ever had nights like this when you are too troubled to speak? I surely have. That is why I love the psalms. They give me words for the inexpressible feelings in my heart. Like the psalmist on such nights I too lay it all out before the Lord. I cry for help and my feelings sometimes get in the way of feeling God and hearing His consultations.

And so, as the psalm expresses, we can wonder if God has forgotten us. But what does the prayer lead us to do in such times? We are reminded of God's faithfulness in former days. We remember the story from scripture. We remember our own story with God.

The Psalm celebrates God's deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. God brought miraculous plagues to lead Pharaoh to let His people go. God split the Red Sea so that His people could escape Pharaoh's chariots. The psalm remembers how God faithfully led them through the wilderness for forty years, bringing them to the promised land.

The next time you are troubled and restless, remember who God is. Remember the witness of scripture. Remember your own history with God. Trust that God will lead you through the wilderness and bring you to peace and plenty. This is His promise.

John 10:10b NIV

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.