Psalm 77

I was sharing with my accountability partner and soon after it read Psalm 77. I felt it was a comical coincidence when I got to verse 4. My partner had spoken of needing an eye operation soon enough. He was being tested and after some uncomfortable shots he still found it hard to keep his eye propped open. Verse 4 speaks directly to that.

I also think the general sense of Psalm 77 spoke to his prayer request. He was feeling troubled, overwhelmed by life. The psalmist seems to be feeling that too. The psalms speak to common experience. The psalms are so real.

I wish more modern worship songs were this real. I think of our mortality which the psalms brings out. I find it helpful to realize I will be going back to God soon enough. It brings things into perspective. I will be going back to God soon enough. So it is helpful to look at things from a longer view. I can take my eyes off day to day worries. I can look up, so to speak, at the hills ahead of me.

When we are worried and overwhelmed we lose sight of God compassion and often think he is mad at us (vs. 7-9). Well I do. But God has the longer view. We do not know when our life will be over. He does.

It's time to stop, have a quiet time, remember God, meditate on him (vs. 11-12).

I got myself in a real funk on Tuesday. It helped a lot to finally stop what I was doing and have a quiet time. I had that luxury. Perhaps my friend does not. Sometimes a short "timeout" is necessary.