Psalm 77 - Doubting Disciples - Aneel Aranha

I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
“Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion? ”
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Doubt is a common experience for many of us and can arise from various things. It can arise from personal struggles, unanswered prayers, or even questions about the goodness of God. In this psalm, the psalmist admits to his own doubts, seeking solace and reassurance. 

More recently, we have the story of the apostle Thomas. When the apostles who had seen Jesus after he rose from the dead told Thomas their Lord had risen, he refused to believe them until he had seen Jesus for himself. Jesus graciously appeared to Thomas and invited him to touch his wounds, saying, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe" (John 20:27).

Even though Thomas has been immortalized as "Doubting Thomas," he is not the only apostle who doubted. Shortly before Jesus ascended into heaven, Scripture says, "the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Jesus, they worshiped him; but some doubted" (Matthew 18:16-17). 

This did not stop Jesus from giving them the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Doubt does not disqualify us from God's purpose or his love and presence. Instead, it is an invitation to seek deeper understanding and encounter the truth that can strengthen our faith. 

In Psalm 77, the psalmist finds solace by reflecting on God's past faithfulness. He recalls God's mighty works in the past: how he delivered the Israelites from years of slavery to the Egyptians and his other miraculous deeds. Remembering these things gives the psalmist confidence that God can and will act on his behalf in the present situation.

We can find similar assurance in our own journey of faith by looking back at God's faithfulness in our lives and in the lives of others, either people we know or those in Scripture. We can reflect on how God has provided, guided, and delivered us in the past. These recollections can strengthen our trust in God's character and his ability to work in our present circumstances.

Let us take comfort in the example of the psalmist and the apostles, knowing that even in the midst of doubt, God is patient with us. May we seek him with open hearts, allowing him to address our doubts and strengthen our faith. And as we encounter his grace, may our doubts be transformed into a deeper and more vibrant trust in his unfailing love.

God bless you.