Has His Mercies Ceased Forever?
Text: Psalm 77
27 November 2005
Message Outline
1. Communing With God
“I cried out to God with my voice–To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord…” (Ps 77:1-2)
a) A great privilege to commune with God
b) An avenue in which God wonderfully hears our cries
c) Able to express our feelings and emotions
d) Adverse circumstances can cause us to complain in our prayers
2. Complaining In Our Prayers Can Be Dangerous
“I cried out to God with my voice– To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me. 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. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.” (Ps 77:1-3)
a) Causes us to have unbelief
b) Causes us to raise doubts about God
“Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (Ps 77:7-9)
c) Causes us to focus on the wrong things
“I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.” (Ps 77:3)
d) Causes us to become unable to be comforted
“My soul refused to be comforted…” (Ps 77:2)
3. Constant Questions And Doubts Gets Us Nowhere
a) Our problems are not resolved
b) Our faith in the Lord to degenerate
c) The spirit is badly affected
4. Combating Questions Of Doubts
a) Consider
“I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times.” (Ps 77:5)
b) Remember
“I call to remembrance my song in the night…But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.” (Ps 77:6, 10-11)
c) Meditate
“I meditate within my heart…I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.” (Ps 77:6, 12)
d) Search diligently
“And my spirit makes diligent search.” (Ps 77:6)
5. Culminating With A Strong Resolve
“Who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.” (Ps 77:13-14)
a) Filled with the greatness of God
b) Certain of our faith and trust in the Lord
c) Concluding indeed the mercies of God has not ceased