Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - Joy in God … no Matter What?

Reflection: Asaph asks: who is God? He asks, ‘What god is as great as our God?’

And he reminds himself, no doubt prompted by the Spirit, of three things he knows about God.

1. God is holy (v13). In Psalm 71:19, it says, ‘Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?’

2. God is powerful (v14). Immediately after escaping from Egypt and crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites respond with trust in God, and with song – ‘When the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant’ (Exodus 14:31).

3. God redeems (v15). ‘… you redeemed your people’. And he will redeem us, not from the Egyptians, but from our outright rebellion against him.

Asaph remembers who God is. God’s way is holy, he performs wonders and miracles, he displays his power, and he has saved us. He also leads us like a flock, tenderly, with compassion for us, and with understanding.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your holiness, your power and your creation. Thank you for reminding us each day who you are.

Psalms 77:1-20

Psalm 77

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

1I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

2When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands,

and I would not be comforted.

3I remembered you, God, and I groaned;

I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.

4You kept my eyes from closing;

I was too troubled to speak.

5I thought about the former days,

the years of long ago;

6I remembered my songs in the night.

My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

7“Will the Lord reject forever?

Will he never show his favor again?

8Has his unfailing love vanished forever?

Has his promise failed for all time?

9Has God forgotten to be merciful?

Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

10Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:

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

11I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

13Your ways, God, are holy.

What god is as great as our God?

14You are the God who performs miracles;

you display your power among the peoples.

15With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,

the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

16The waters saw you, God,

the waters saw you and writhed;

the very depths were convulsed.

17The clouds poured down water,

the heavens resounded with thunder;

your arrows flashed back and forth.

18Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,

your lightning lit up the world;

the earth trembled and quaked.

19Your path led through the sea,

your way through the mighty waters,

though your footprints were not seen.

20You led your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Joy in God … no Matter What?

Day 5 of 14

NIV

Psalms 77:13-15

Days

Psalms 77:1-20