Image from bible.com
View devo: https://bit.ly/4nlBNmz
1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. 2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” 13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. 15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. 16 The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. 17 The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. 18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. 19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. (Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 NiV)
Happy Thursday of the tremendous kind, dear Friend! May this be a day someone remembers forever because you reached out in love and caring and you made a positive difference in their life. Go and do so!
There have been those moments for many of us when it seemed like our prayers were not getting through; parents praying for their child who was losing a battle to cancer; spouses praying for their spouse to get sober; employees getting fired on a whim by a bad employer, and oh the list goes on so long. Our prayers are like shouting into the wind -- sorrows clings tightly and sleep won't come. Such leads the psalmist to sit down and write these words. He has been in a spot of anguish and he knows to reach for God even though it seems like God is not listening, but still he reaches. This is a powerful portrait of honest faith: not pretending to feel better, but choosing to seek God anyway.
We see a turn in his attitude as verses 11–20 begin. Not because the pain has vanished, but because the psalmist remembers. He remembers God’s mighty deeds, His wonders of old, His power over the sea, and His faithful leading of His people through Moses and Aaron. The turning point is not the change in circumstance—but the choice to reflect on who God has been. In the same way we should turn to the mighty acts of God in our lives when though still painful, God was with us and helped us move forward.
When our present feels unbearable, memory can become a lifeline. Remembering God’s past faithfulness can renew hope in the present. The same God who made a path through the sea is with us still—though, as the psalm says, “Your footprints were unseen” (v. 19). Even when we cannot see Him, He leads. This is a marvelous byproduct of a strong faith. Though outwardly it may seem like darkness has enshrouded us, but the light is still within the presence of God when we invite Him in. If you fast forward to Romans 8, we will see the Apostle Paul went through the same thing, but he realized that our prayers continue even when words can't seem to come forth, but our sighs, our moans, our cries; these are turned into prayers by the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Advocate. Thanks be to God.
PRAYER: Faithful God, when we are overwhelmed and our hearts are heavy, help us remember who You are. Remind us of Your power, Your mercy, and Your past faithfulness. Lead us through the deep waters and into peace, even when Your footprints are hidden. Strengthen us to trust You in the dark. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time today to remember a moment when God came through for you. Write it down, give thanks, and let it anchor your hope as you walk through whatever waters lie ahead.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
You can support this ministry by making a donation to paypal.me/eradiovalverde
