Footprints
Psalm 77
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.
1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
The writer starts this poem with complaints to God as it seems that He does not hear his prayers that he does every night without closing his eyes and without speaking because his spirit grew fainted. However, his prayer goes deeper to consider what God has done to that day, so he is showing the trust in God and praising Him about what He has done to His people until that time.
It reminds me of the time I prayed eagerly and with all my heart. Actually, I have not been praying for myself. In other word, I do not ask for my daily bread, my honor, or even my fame, but for my family members and relatives and neighbors' souls and the poor and the weak in trouble. I am not saying that I am a good woman, but I am saying that I know what is more important in life than we usually ask for.
God's footprints are not seen, but He has led my life like a good shepherd by His right hand. This is the truth and my testimony, so I do remember His grace and love all the time, especially, whenever I was in deep darkness and my heart was filled with sorrow or sadness. God is my shepherd and I shall not be in want! Amen.
