Series Introduction:   Psalms 77 and 90 help us to refocus on God when we struggle. They teach us that prayer can be complaint, and lament, as we look to God and trust him in tough times. What does it look like to live a life of joy in God, and to have a healthy view of death – to die well? Psalm 90 looks at God’s creation and power, and our transience. These Psalms help us to keep growing in our trust of our Father.

Reflection:  How do we respond when God seems a long way off?

Asaph, the psalm writer, is wrestling with God. In his in distress, he cries aloud to God, ‘my soul refuses to be comforted’.  He feels God has abandoned him and has forgotten to be merciful. He is even ‘yelling’ at God. He is not receiving any comfort – yet – from talking with God.

I am often asked in Dubai – ‘Can I really complain to God? Am I even allowed to? Can I tell God what I don’t like? Are you sure I can?’ And there is plenty to complain about, as life can be incredibly harsh, despite the glitzy appearance of this city.

I think Psalm 77 shows us how much God wants us to talk with him. This includes complaining to him! Even if it means yelling at him. This is so much better than no conversation at all, giving God the ‘silent treatment’. God does speak to us in our distress, but … he doesn’t ‘bash down the door’ – making us talk to him. When we don’t listen to him, he waits, ever so patiently! When we don’t tell him what our complaint is, it’s actually our problem, and our responsibility, not God’s.

Prayer: Father, thank you for reminding us that you love us. Thank you so much that you want to hear everything we say to you – the good, the bad and the ugly. Thank you for patiently and lovingly listening to our cries for help and responding to them.