I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. (Psalm 77:11-14)
Do something! That’s the message screaming from every corner when bad times hit. Change something, do something better, get some help, try something new – Do something!
The thought of just meditating and pondering seems fairly flaccid, pathetic and passive. What’s that going to do?
Yet what makes this Psalm so encouraging is that the meditating and pondering that’s taking place isn’t just about feelgood sentiments, playing pleasant tunes that remind you of your childhood and focusing your chi. This pondering and meditating is actively reminding yourself in times of trouble just who you’re talking to.
Meditate on the God who rescued His people from slavery. Ponder on the God who took His people through the sea on dry land. Meditate on the God who rescued His people from the hands of the enemy. Ponder on the God who saw His creation doomed to destruction but in lovingkindness sent His only Son to bring about victory over sin and death and triumphantly call people from death to life and transfer them from the rule of darkness to the rule of the light.
Does that stop the bills from piling up? Will that stop the doctor from giving that diagnosis on the state of the pancreas? Is that going to stop your so called friends from bailing out on you when you need them the most? Are the enemies going to meekly surrender?
Yet in the midst of that, the Psalmist knows the power in the relationship with the God who is greater than the state of the economy, greater than the fatal prognosis, greater than the betrayal and greater than all those that seek to oppose the light and the right.
Sure there are still those tears and sleepless nights, but these are still invitations to ponder and meditate. As that happens there’s an invitation to deepen your relationship with the Creator of the universe and trust Him as you call.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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