Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

SUNDAY JULY 12


SEEING BEYOND LOSS

READ:
Psalm 77:10-11
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I will remember
the years of the
right hand of the
Most High. I will
remember the
works of the LORD.
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Author William Zinsser described his last visit to see the house where he grew up, a place he greatly loved as a boy. When he and his wife arrived at the hill overlooking Manhasset bay and Long Island Sound, they found that the house had been demolished. All that remained was a huge hole. Disheartened, they walked to the nearby seawall. Zinsser looked across the bay, absorbing the sights and sounds. Later, he wrote of this experience, "I was at ease and only slightly sad. The view was intact: the unique configuration of land and sea I remember so well that I still dream about it."

The psalmist wrote of a difficult time when his soul refused to be comforted and his spirit was overwhelmed (PS. 77-2-3)). But in the midst of his trouble, he shifted his focus from his sadness to his Savior, saying, "I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the LORD...Your wonders of old" (vv. 10-11).

In dealing with disappointment, we can either focus on our loss or on God Himself. The Lord invites us to look to him and see the scope of His goodness, His presence with us, and His eternal love. __David McCasland

**Heavenly Father, this life can be both wonderful and disappointing. We
know that things are not the way they ought to be. Our disappointments
cause us to turn to You, the only true hope for the world.
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Faith in God's goodness keeps hope alive.

******************************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 77:1-15******************************
1 I cried out to God with my voice__to God with my
voice; and He gave ear to me. 2 In the day of my trouble
I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the
night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my
spirit was overwhelmed.

4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot
speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient
times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate
within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.

7 Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no
more? 8 Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed
forevermore? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in
anger shut up His tender mercies?

10 And I said, "This is my anguish; but I will remember the
years of the right hand of the Most High." 11 I will remember the
works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

12 I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.

13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God?
14 You are the God who does wonders; You have
declared Your strength among the peoples. 15 You have with
Your arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The Psalms are moving reflections on life and
God. In today's psalm Asaph shares the disappointment of feeling
as though God has abandoned him. But Asaph also shows us how
to change our perspective. We do this by focusing on the character
and deeds of the Lord. Our circumstances may not change, but we
will see them in a different way__against the backdrop of God.