SOAP Journal 03-26-2008 (Psalm 77:8-12)

Scripture:

Psalm 77:8-12 Has his loyal love disappeared forever? Has his promise failed forever? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has his anger stifled his compassion?” Then I said, “I am sickened by the thought that the sovereign One might become inactive. I will remember the works of
the Lord. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago! I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds!”

Observation:

The psalmist theorizes; he guesses as to why God has not acted on behalf of His (and his) people. First he postulates the states of God's heart that would warrant such abandonment. He doesn't love any more, He has left mercy behind as a practice of the past. But then, maybe He's just inactive, THAT thought is disgusting to the psalmist and it triggers a prolonged telling of spiritual history. That is, God CANNOT be inactive because of all His acts of the past PLUS the fact that He cannot change.

Application:

The act of explaining unanswered prayer - trials that the believer has not been delivered from, sicknesses the believer has not been healed from - is common to all people of faith. BUT those who know the Living God have promises that spring from the history books (of the Bible). God WILL NOT be inactive, He WILL NOT lack compassion or mercy. But it sometimes is incumbent for the believer to wait, because the dimension of time is in God's sovereign hands as well.

Prayer:

Father, help me to wait. Help me to look upon Your acts with faith for the present and future. Help me see my own sin which You are
dealing with and help me repent. Truly I am at Your mercy, so please show that mercy to all, and I will praise You for what You have
done. In Jesus' name. Amen