It is so easy to get discouraged in this life. To put too much stock into people and experiences and expectations. Sometimes we don’t realize how much stock we’ve put into something or someone so temporary. Its like going through a terrible break up and realizing you have put all of your hope and emotional energy into one person who you really wont spend the rest of your life with. And then we make ourselves the victim, questioning “Why would God do this to me?”
I have found myself in this place not only when going through break-ups, but also in my prayer life. Praying for something and seeing God answer my prayer in a way that I did not ask for. A way that I did not think would be as great as the way I would have answered my own prayer. I fing myself identifying with the Psalmist in Psalm 77 asking, “Has God forgotten to be gracious?”
Today, when I am wishing the Lord would have answered my prayers in the way that I thought He would, I am fighting to remember all of the gracious work He has done and that His will is always good. My best friend reminded me last night that God has heard my prayers and even if he answers them differently than I wanted, He is so good and faithful. He will not forget any of my prayers, and He will be faithful to carry out His perfect and wise plan in the lives of all His children. He will bring us all to completion.
In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord
To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.
I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
In 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.
When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
I said, [1] “Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
“Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”
Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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