From Doubt to Praise: God is With You All the Way.

When we go through difficult times in our lives and it seems like it’s one thing after another with no end in sight, it can be very discouraging. When this happens, doubt creeps in and we can find ourselves even questioning the very character of God. That is what Asaph was experiencing when he wrote Psalm 77. He was doubting the very character of God because he was in such distress. “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 toward 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 again be kind to me? 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?” (1-9) Can you identify with Asaph? Have you ever questioned the very character of God? I can definitely identify with him. I have been at the place of discouragement and doubt where I too have questioned whether or not God even cared that I was struggling. The truth is God does care when we are struggling. It is against his character to be unkind, and ungracious. His mercy and his love never fail. His promises always prove true. He will never leave or forsake you. When we are in the midst of a struggle, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel when all you can see is the pain and the hurt and the difficulty that you are dealing with at that very moment. In the second part of the Psalm, Asaph realizes something important. I believe he realized that his present circumstances did not determine whether or not God loved him or cared about what he was going through. He chose to focus on what God had done for him in the past, rather than his present situation. This enabled him to praise God even in the midst of what was just a little bit earlier a time full of discouragement and doubt. In this he found the encouragement he needed to keep pressing on. “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.” (11-15) It seems as if Asaph found hope and encouragement to carry on in the midst of very discouraging and distressing circumstances. He remembered what God had done for his people in the past and it gave him great hope. If you are struggling today and you are experiencing discouragement and doubt, remember that God loves you and his promises prove true. He is right there with you each and every step of the way and he has been with you all along. If you are discouraged about your present circumstances, remember what God has already done for you and don't forget that he loves you greater than you could ever imagine.Take some time to reflect on what God has done for you. You just might be surprised at what you find.