The Wonder Working God

July 02, 2022

By Brooke Holt

“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.” Psalm 77:11-14

The Psalms are so faithful in reminding us life with God is a daily invitation to choose faith in who God is and how he has revealed himself to us throughout Scripture and in our lives. Here in Psalm 77, the psalmist is in deep anguish. He begins the psalm crying out to God, acknowledging his pain before the Lord. At the time, he feels forgotten or spurned by the Lord. He even asks the question, “Has God forgotten to be gracious?” (Verse 9) Clearly, the psalmist is wrestling with the Lord just as you and I often do.

After pouring out his lament to the Lord, the psalmist calls himself to stop lamenting and start remembering God’s past faithfulness. He recalls God’s work on his behalf and of his people; he remembers the Lord’s mighty deeds, such as when he opened the Red Sea so that his people could walk through, and he reminds himself God is holy and great. There is none like him!

Why or how can this psalmist move from deep lament to focus on the Lord’s faithfulness? I think this transformation happens as he takes his eyes off himself and places them on the Lord. It is about remembering God’s faithful works in the past so that he may trust that God once again will work in the present. When he does this, he can look beyond his painful circumstances and trust that as God has worked, he will work again.

The psalmist called himself to focus on God and not on himself and his pain. He remembered God’s faithful work in the past, knowing God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (see Hebrews 13:8). God was and is a wonder-working God.

How do you need to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness today? Follow this model and remember how God has worked in your challenges before. How might the Lord want to change your perspective on today’s trials? It is amazing how changing focus from self and our painful circumstances and then lifting our eyes to see Jesus can truly change us. The Lord longs to bring the comfort of his presence to every trial and tribulation. He alone can bring the peace we desperately crave and the power we desperately need.

Let’s pray today for divine perspective to replace self-perspective!

Reflection:

Spend time remembering God’s faithfulness to you and his mighty work in your life. Write these things down and maybe even share your stories with a friend or family member. From that place of remembering, ask the Lord how he wants to change your perspective on your current trials and tribulations. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

Follow the ancient way of the Psalms and find the life God has for you. A model for vibrant worship, the Psalms provide practical wisdom to traverse the circuitous path of life with trust and hope. Pilgrim’s Path: A Study of the Psalms traces our spiritual walk with God—from discovery and delight, through doubt and disappointment, into joyful confidence. Whether used for individual or group study, Pilgrim’s Path is for everyone who seeks to know and love God more and find life in him.