Reflecting the Image

Scripture:

Psalm 77:11–15

11 I will call to mind the deeds of the LORD;
  I will remember your wonders of old.

12 I will meditate on all your work,
  and muse on your mighty deeds.

13 Your way, O God, is holy.
  What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who works wonders;
  you have displayed your might among the peoples.

15 With your strong arm you redeemed your people,
  the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah (NRSVUE)

Observation:

The psalmist has been talking about what comes to mind during the night. In the darkness, his thoughts have taken him into places of deep anguish. He wonders whether God has rejected His people forever, whether His steadfast love has ceased, and even whether God has forgotten to be gracious.

Then something changes. Instead of continuing down the path of despair, the psalmist makes an intentional decision: “I will call to mind the deeds of the LORD.”

He begins to remember. Not just the things God has done during his own lifetime, but the wonders of ages past. God, the Creator of all things, has been at work throughout the generations. The psalmist reaches beyond what he can see in his present circumstances and remembers the faithfulness of God throughout history.

He moves from recalling the deeds of the Lord to meditating on God’s work, and then I love the phrase, “muse on your mighty deeds.” To muse is to linger over something, to ponder it and allow it to fill our thoughts. Instead of allowing his anguish to dominate his mind, the psalmist intentionally dwells upon the mighty deeds of God.

No wonder he then proclaims, “Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God?” His remembering takes him back to the story of God’s deliverance of His people. With a strong arm, God redeemed the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. The verses that follow will take us directly to the waters and the deliverance through the sea. The God who may have seemed absent in the darkness of the night is the same God who made a way for His people when there seemed to be no way.

Application:

I have to admit that I am a bit like the psalmist. It’s at night, when sleep sometimes escapes me, that my mind can begin to wander and focus on the negative things in life. That is such a slippery slope because once we get started, things can go downhill in a hurry. That’s why the response of the psalmist is so practical.

Stop the downward slide — and change your focus!

That doesn’t mean that our pain, fear, or concerns aren’t real. The psalmist certainly didn’t pretend that everything was okay. Instead, he brought his anguish into the presence of remembered faithfulness. He intentionally began to think about what he knew to be true about God.

The God of all creation loves and cares for you and me. Think about the beauty that we have experienced even in the past day. We recently put up a hummingbird feeder. Wow — what joy that brings! We love to sit and watch the hummingbirds gather around to get a little sip. Then they become a bit territorial, and there is one who hangs out on top and seems to organize the entire event. Soon they will be gone as they begin to migrate south for the winter. And yet, God created them. God loves them and cares for them. And He cares for me too.

The time comes to muse on God’s mighty deeds.

The word “muse” catches my attention. To muse is to linger over something and ponder it rather than rush past it. The English word also makes me think about inspiration — about something that becomes a source of creativity and thought. And that sends my mind in another direction. What happens when the mighty deeds of God become the source upon which my mind dwells?

Instead of allowing fear and negativity to become the source feeding my thoughts, I begin to remember where I have seen God at work. I remember the movement of the Holy Spirit in my own life and in the lives of others. I remember that God was at work long before I arrived and will remain at work long after I am gone. There is great assurance in resting in the flow of the Holy Spirit when we have learned to recognize the faithfulness of the Source.

Where have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in your life?

Years ago, we had “testimony services.” People shared stories of God’s work in their lives, and those stories became an encouragement to others. We were, in a sense, musing together on the mighty deeds of God. The stories were remembered and passed on, and with them, the faith was carried from one person to another and from one generation to the next.

When we muse on God’s mighty deeds, we begin to recognize the places where God has been leading us. God is already at work in this world. He goes before us, and that is why we don’t have to fear. And His faithfulness stretches behind us through the ages of history. We are caught up in a stream that began long before us and will continue long after us.

So, when the darkness comes and your mind begins to wander into those places of fear and uncertainty, remember.

Call to mind the deeds of the Lord.

Remember His wonders of old.

Muse on His mighty deeds.

Rest well, my friends. Keep musing on the Lord’s mighty deeds.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for this great reminder. When my mind turns toward Your good, powerful, and mighty deeds, I am overwhelmed by Your faithfulness. You have always been present for Your people, even in the midst of great challenges. Help me to remember, to meditate, and to muse on all that You have done. May the testimony of Your faithfulness quiet my fears and help me rest in Your presence. Thank You! Amen.