The Help of the Redeemer
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Psalm 77 - With God in the Dark
Psalm 77 (ESV)
To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.
1 I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
4 You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
7 “Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Sermon Outline
How do you reorient with God when you feel lost? (v15)
1. Remember the Redeemer
v10 “Then I said, ‘I will appeal to… the years of the right hand of the Most High’”
vv11-I4 “will remember the deeds… your wonders of old…Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?”
2. Let the Redeemer Lead the Way
v16 “When the waters saw you, they were afraid”
v19 “Your way was through the sea… yet your footprints were unseen”
v20 “You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron”
Prayer of Confession
Our mighty Redeemer, you have made us, and you provide daily for us. Instead of eagerly drawing near to you, we continually wander away. We don’t follow your lead. We take so much for granted. We lose sight of you as we foolishly set our eyes and hopes on other things. We act in ways that are contrary to yours. We are left with troubled souls. Without your gracious intervention we would have no hope. Thank you for paying the debt of our sin and for granting us forgiveness in such a costly way. In the name of Jesus our redeemer, show us mercy. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What do you do when you feel lost or in the dark? What works or helps? What does not?
Why is it hard to see God or connect with God when you are in a difficult time? Is it harder for you to connect with God in difficult times, or when things are going well?
What is most helpful to you: God as creator, as redeemer, or as sustainer? (the creator who wisely makes, orders and gives life; the redeemer who lovingly, courageously, and sacrificially comes and rescues; the sustainer who daily provides)
What are the most helpful things to bring to mind and meditate on regarding who God is, what God has done, or what God says? Is there anything you avoid? Anything that other Christians find helpful that you don’t? Why?
How is Jesus as a redeemer a unique help to those who feel lost, overwhelmed, hopeless, or unworthy?
How can connecting with Jesus be a step towards seeing/appreciating the greatness of the Creator? How can connecting with Jesus be a step towards seeing/appreciating the kind, responsible provision of the sustainer?
What does Jesus going into darkness on the cross reveal about God? How is this a help to people who are fearful or skeptical yet have a longing to draw near to God?
Why do you find it hard to fully receive from God? What keeps you from resting in Him? What would happen if you ceased striving for a period?
What is one thing that roots you in God’s goodness that you can think about this week?