SOAP 10/28/2015; Psalm 77:2

Today's reading: Job 19; Mark 1, 2*

S) "² In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness;
My soul refused to be comforted."

Psalm 77:2 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 77

O) There are a few principles revealed in this Psalm. Obviously, the first thing notable in this verse, is that the reaction to trouble was to seek the Lord. Spending the night in worship, with outstretched arms that refused to submit to ache, the writer would not allow himself comfort. This paints a picture of relentless pursuit of God. This is a picture of worship and prayer from desperation. This is an acknowledgment that God is the only help, the only comfort, the only hope. In the verses that follow, the writer reflects on who God is, and who He has been to His people, and that deepens the grief. It is not because God has mistreated them, but actually because God has been so good, and the writer feels the absence of God all the more. So, in the last line of this verse, where his soul refused to be comforted, we gain the sense that it is because all comfort, apart from God, is useless.

A) There have been nights when this is my reality. I know what it means to realize that my only hope is from God. I know what it means to realize that all other comforts will be useless. I know what it means to push myself, to physically continue to worship God. The beauty of that experience is that God never disappoints, when He is the focus and the object of my pursuit. When I seek God because I think there are missing things in my life, then I may very well be disappointed, since I'm not actually seeking God, but seeking those things via God. When I realize that my relationship with God has been distant (which, because of Christ, is always on the part of me not participating with God as much as I should), and so I realize that my soul is disturbed within me because I miss God Himself, then when I pursue God for the sake of being with Jesus Christ alone, then He never, ever, disappoints.

P) Father, You are holy. Your goodness is not like anything in creation, because all of creation is only a fading reflection of Your glory, at the very best. In the day of my trouble, I know that there is no comfort the world can offer me, that will ever come close to the comfort of Your presence. Closeness with You is what my soul desires, and nothing else will satisfy. Remind me of this comfort, of this singular satisfaction that You have for me in Your closeness. When I am troubled at night, restless in my bed, let me stretch my hands to You without weariness. When I am exhausted at work, weary from the relationships, demands, and stresses of the world, let me worship You from my heart, and redirect my attention to the One who satisfies, refreshes, and comforts my soul. Keep me, the way that only You can. Let Your will be done in every part of my life, including my devotion and connection to You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.