Has the Lord rejected me forever?

Psalm 77

I cry out to God; yes, I shout.

Oh, that God would listen to me!

When I was in deep trouble,

I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted towards heaven,

but my soul was not comforted.

I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help.

You don't let me sleep.

I am too distressed even to pray!

I think of the good old days, long since ended,

when my nights were filled with joyful songs.

I search my soul and ponder the difference now.

Has the Lord rejected me forever?

Will he never be kind to me again?

Is his unfailing love gone forever?

Have his promises permanently failed?

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he slammed the door on his compassion?

And I said, "This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me."

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

They are constantly in my thoughts.

I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

O God, your ways are holy.

Is there any god as mighty as you?

You are the God of great wonders!

You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.

By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

When the Red Sea saw you, O God, its waters looked and trembled!

The sea quaked to its very depths.

The clouds poured down rain; the thunder rumbled in the sky. You arrows of lightning flashed.

Your thunder roared from the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world!

The earth trembled and shook.

Your road led through the sea, your pathway through might waters- 

a pathway no one knew was there!

You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, 

with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.

Psalm 77

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I did not want to read my bible this morning. I listened to a few Ask Pastor John sermons while I had breakfast. I debated just going and responding to emails. But somehow, by the power of Christ IN me, I was able to go into my bedroom and pick up my bible. Psalm 77 is where I landed. And it's where I am. And I know/want to believe that this is God speaking to me. Telling me he knows what I'm going through, and he has a comfort for me. And that it's his word; that is my comfort. For so long I felt like the writer in verse 10 where he has accepted his fate. "This is just how things will be, I will no longer feel God," those were my thoughts. For probably the past year and a half that I have had silence from God, this is what I started to believe. But then I read Psalm 77 and I see ME. And I know that God will get me to the last part. That I will have power in remembering God's past works. 

He's there, just not all the way yet. But it almost feels like a phone call saying, "Don't worry, I'm coming back soon."

I hope so.

Thank you God for the power to want to read your word today. Thank you for providing the Psalms, for people who are so hurting but wanting to run to you. Thank you for Psalm 77 and for showing up this morning.

- Bethany