Power of remembering

This is one of those Psalms that quickly reminds me of how I'm not the only one that feels this way.  I love it.  It's another Psalm by Asaph.  He was having some sort of trouble, it felt like an open wound.  He couldn't sleep at night.  He couldn't even really figure out why.  He talked to friends and they said, "Don't worry.  Everything will be alright."  This always sounds good for a minute, but when you're struggling it's not really a solution.  I have this same problem, I feel something and I don't really know why.  Just can't put my finger on it.  I've had moments where I thought surely God is done with me now.  He's done one too many miracles for me. Now He has other things that are more important.  But, He's not like man. He doesn't go out of business. 

Psalms 77
2 I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord;
my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal.
When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right,"
I didn't believe a word they said.
3 I remember God — and shake my head.
I bow my head — then wring my hands.
4 I'm awake all night — not a wink of sleep;
I can't even say what's bothering me.
5 I go over the days one by one,
I ponder the years gone by.
6 I strum my lute all through the night,
wondering how to get my life together.

7 Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good?
Will he never smile again?
8 Is his love worn threadbare?
Has his salvation promise burned out?
9 Has God forgotten his manners?
Has he angrily stalked off and left us?
10 "Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business
just the moment I need him."

Next a great piece of advise is written,  and Asaph's faith is restored.  He thinks back on his life, all the things God has done.  When I think back and remember all the times God has provided jobs for me, all the many ways He's fixed things I can't doubt.  There was even a time when I worked in a large aerospace company.  It was my job to put together a technical manual from representatives of different teams.  They all hated each other.  Our first meeting was very difficult.  As a team facilitator and analyst, I did my best to steer them in the right direction.  But these guys just wanted to vent on each other. It was a long hard job for them, with many tries and failures.  I prayed, and thought about wearing a bicycle helmet to the next meeting, just to lighten things up.  I brought it, but decided not to wear it. When I went into the room I saw the faces of angels (yes even software engineers can have an angelic look once in awhile).  I walked outside to make sure I was in the right room.  It was. So I started working on finishing the project.  Smooth as glass.  They even thanked me...  I remember going back to my desk and my boss was nervously waiting by my cube, "How did it go?"  

I replied, "No problem it's all done."

His jaw dropped.  Then one of my friends loudly asked, "Karen did you pray?"

I said, "Yes I did," and smiled real big.

"I knew it!"

My boss just smiled and shook his head.  Later he told me I was never permitted to leave his department.   I write this with a huge smile and laughter.  Amazing God!  It was totally not me.  I'm sure you have memories like that too.  When I get discouraged I need to remember all the miracles (great and small) I've experienced by His side.  No god is great like our God!

11 Once again I'll go over what God has done,

lay out on the table the ancient wonders; 

12 I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished,

and give a long, loving look at your acts.

Asaph remembers and bursts into praise.

13 O God! Your way is holy!

No god is great like God! 

14 You're the God who makes things happen;

you showed everyone what you can do —  

15 You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble,

rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
THE MESSAGE

Another verse that came to mind when I was reading this Psalm was from Revelation in the New Testament.  It turns out our personal testimonies are very important in the spiritual scheme of things.  Satan is overcome by the blood of Jesus and the word of the believer's testimony.  Pretty cool huh?
Rev 12:11-12
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
NKJV