We All Have Bad Days But God Shows Us His Faithfulness Over Many Days

Psalm 77:2,7-12

Troubles do not mean that God has abandoned you; remember His past faithfulness

Soul Food

“When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted…..

…..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.”

- Psalm 77:2,7-12 (NIV)

Soul Search

• Jesus tried to prepare us for bad days by telling us that “In this world you will have trouble.” Nonetheless, we sometimes think that when things are going wrong that God has abandoned us. 
  Can you recall a time in your life when things weren’t going well and it caused you to question God’s presence in your life? 
  Can you describe that season?

• Do you still wonder where God is and do you have thoughts of abandonment when things aren’t going well or some bad thing has happened to you or to someone you know and love?
  Can you think of experiences from your past that have maybe predisposed you to feeling abandoned?

• When days look like night because they’re so dark, do you have a tendency to also ‘go dark?’
  If so, can you cite any reasons why you believe you tend to go that way? 
  Are there specific things you think or do when everything looks bleak and seemingly hopeless?
  Do your thoughts help or hurt?

Soul Moves

• Just because things aren’t going well or aren’t going in the direction we want them to, doesn’t mean that God has left us.
  “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil because You (God) are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
  Ask God to drill this Truth into your soul.

• God doesn’t abandon His children – especially when it’s dark.
  Are you His child and do you know without a doubt that you’re part of His family? 
  “But to all who did receive Him (Jesus), who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12
  Receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord and believe in His name.

• Psalm 77 is a beautiful passage that tells us that when we are tempted to think that God has abandoned us and that He won’t come through for us in difficult moments, one sure thing we can do is to look back on God’s presence and help in our lives during previous difficult times. 
  Can you list any occasions in your past – or in the lives of people you know - when God did miracles and displayed His power? (Psalm 77:14)