Have you ever spent the night unable to sleep, crying out to the Lord over some very serious problems you are going through? Many of us have experienced just such nights. The author of our psalm today, Asaph, was going through some terrible times, causing sleeplessness, and he shares his experience with us here.
We are not told what desperately troubling thing Asaph was going through. Perhaps it was a serious health issue that either he or a loved one was going through. Perhaps he was in a severe financial crisis. There was often political unrest during the days of the Old Testament, and frequently foreign nations would attack Israel, putting people’s safety, lives, and property in danger. It could have been any of these, or something else. We all have similar deep concerns that we bring to the Lord. Whatever it was, Asaph could not sleep, and was crying out to the Lord in desperation (vs 1-6).
When we are emotionally distraught over problems, and are tossing and turning throughout the night, we can question God as Asaph did (vs 7-9). With all of the problems swarming around him, Asaph questioned whether God had cast him off forever, and would hold off His mercy and promises from him for all times. Problems often make us think God isn’t there for us, that He has forgotten and turned His back on us. When we are in the middle of a crisis, it seems like the answer to these questions is yes. In reality, though, to the believer, the answer is no. As the Lord spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, His compassions never fail. They are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Our psalmist Asaph was so down and discouraged, he felt that God had changed, that His power, symbolized by His right hand, had failed (vs 10). The reality is, though, that God never changes (Malachi 3:6). Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God has not, and never will, lose His powers. Nor will He turn away or forsake us. What He has promised, He will fulfill to us.
What did Asaph finally decide to do about his distressing dilemma which was keeping him up at nights? As he lay on his bed, besieged by thoughts of his worries, and whether God would or could help, Asaph started remembering all of the many blessings He had bestowed, not only on himself, but also for the nation (vs 11-20). One of the biggest works of God that came to his mind was when God brought forth the people of Israel from captivity in Egypt, and parted the Red Sea for them (vs 16-19). The account of this great miracle was handed down from generation to generation.
Remembering God’s faithfulness of the past during our trials will remind us He is capable and trustworthy. We need to remember God’s goodness to us. By doing so it will strengthen our faith (vs 11-12). When our problems and troubles are keeping us up at night, recall all of the Lord’s mighty acts of the past. When we shift our focus off of our self and on to God, our outlook changes, and our hope and joy returns.
This psalm gives one cure for depression. In Asaph’s despair, thoughts of God were only bringing complaints and bitterness. Then his attitude changes because he starts to focus on God’s goodness and acts of deliverance. Asaph’s laments turn to hymns of praise. If we want our discouragement, depression, and despair to be likewise lifted, keep a record of all God has done for you, and bring those to mind the next time the devil gets you down.
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