PSALM 77 - FAITH'S VICTORY
PSALM 77 – FAITH’S VICTORY
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
August 12, 2020, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Self gives way to God and His Glory
In the first 12 verses there is a total of fifteen personal pronouns which reveals total occupation with self. There are twenty-three complaints in the Psalm of self-occupation. This is the cry of a carnal and troubled soul, who in determination cries out to God, then finds comfort in the reality of God’s wondrous and marvelous works and His Glory.
In verse ten the cry of the Psalmist breaks through from an experience of darkness and sorrow to one of gladness and praise. The new song is the outcome of a vision that robbed sorrow of its sting.
Psalm 77:1-3: I poured out my complaint to you, God. I lifted up my voice, shouting out for your help. When I was in deep distress, in my day of trouble, I reached out for you with hands stretched out to heaven! Over and over I kept looking for you, God, but your comforting grace was nowhere to be found. As I thought of you, I just moaned: “God, where are you?” I am overwhelmed with despair as I wait for your help to arrive.
In verses 1-3, we hear the Psalmists cry of distress. On our Christian journey, this is the cry of pain from the carnal soul. The Psalmist found his way into the realm of God’s rest, peace, and joy. The Psalmists cry is to the Pure and Shining One. He broke through from the realm of the pain of the carnal soul into the glorious realm of the Spirit of God, where there is no pain.
God will never turn down the cry of a truly sincere and humble soul. King James reads, “In the day of trouble, I sought the Lord” (vs.2). One should not wait until he gets in trouble to pray even though God promises to hear those who do call upon Him in the day of trouble (Ps. 50:15; 91:15).
Kings James, “my spirit was overwhelmed.” This will be the final result of any long period of self-occupation. The more one gives in to despondency, the more he will be despondent. This is proved by the ever-deepening despair of the Psalmist. His complaining escalated into misery.
In verses 4-9, the Psalmists begins to search his own heart for his distress; but he is still praying in the realm of his carnal soul with the big “I” at the center of himself. His prayer is still complaining to God about his personal plight.
77: 4-6: I can’t get a wink of sleep until you come and comfort me. Now I am too burdened to even pray! My mind wanders thinking of days gone by, the years long since passed. THEN, I remembered my worship songs I used to sing in the night seasons. My heart began to fill again with thoughts of you. So, my spirit went out once more in search of you (TPT).
He is worried and can’t sleep. He so worried he can’t even pray. But then, he remembers to worship the Lord and his spirit goes out to search for Christ. I am reminded of the allegory of the Shulamite in the Song of Solomon.
Song 2:10: My beloved spoke, and said unto me, ‘rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away” (She is speaking-quoting him).
Th King asked the Shulamite to follow him, but there is a wall between them. This was her wall. He desires for her to move out of the realm of duality (James 1:6-8) and into the realm where they can stand face to face (1 Cor. 13: 8-13). The King has taken down the middle wall of partition (Eph. 2:11-11). This veil of flesh is her own blinded mind; it is her own image of herself, and an idol that must be dealt with.
The King is very near to the Shulamite, but her vision of His glory is obscured as she is bound in the earthly house of her tabernacle. When there is a real wall between the Lord and us, it is our wall, for we have built it. It is the enclosure of her own reasonings.
The Shulamite failed to notice that the King’s whole attitude expresses movement. He stands, as if ready to depart. He looks in at the windows of her soul. She is deeply satisfied with the banqueting house experience. She does not understand that she is to follow Him.
This is the call to come up higher.
Song 3:1: By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not (she is speaking).
The King had asked the Shulamite to follow him
She will either accept or reject the terms of His covenant, but she cannot alter them! She boldly prophesies that he be what she wants: the playful roe and the young hart. But he refuses to be conformed to her image; she must be conformed to His! It is the commitment to the covenant, ascending the mountain of separation, that she fears. She admits there are shadows (imperfections) in her life. Complete union is still theoretical and not a reality. The word “turn” reveals she has fallen behind Him, and He is not really present with her since her refusal to leave the enclosed wall and come away with Him. Then, she wanted Him in her circumstances and behind her wall for her own personal comfort.
So, it is with our Psalmists as he describes the pain of his separation from God due to his own selfish desires.
Psalm 77:7-9: Would you really walk off and leave me forever, my Lord God? Won’t you show me your kind favor; delighting in me again? Has your well of sweet mercy dried up? Will your promises never come true? Have you somehow forgotten to show me love? Are you so angry that you have closed your heart of compassion to me?
Again, we can compare the Psalmists pain and searching to the Shulamite who is a type of the Bride of Christ. When she did not obey, the King hid his face. He aroused her from her lethargy; by His silence. He drew her to seek Him diligently; by prolonging His apparent absence. He broke down the wall of reserve and drew her out of herself. He watched her as her rushing hither and thither, to this or that place, expecting to obtain “blessing” as of old. The King was silent in His love. The Shulamite arises and steps into the streets.
Song 3:2: I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought Him, but I found Him not (She is speaking).
Psalm 77: 10: Lord, what wounds me most is that it’s somehow my fault that you have changed your heart toward me, and I no longer see the years of the Mighty One and your right hand of power.
This is the turning point. This is when the Psalmists accepts responsibility for his pain, and for the wall of separation from Elohim. With the wall removed, the Psalmists remembers the glory of God in His life. When he begins to become occupied with God, his despondency vanishes. This is the cure for misery and despair; and the answer for most counseling.
GLORY-BURSTS
Psalm 77: 11-15: Yet, I could never forget all your miracles, my God, as I remember all your wonders of old. I ponder all you’ve done, Lord musing on all your miracles. It’s here in your presence in your sanctuary, where I learn more of your ways. For holiness is revealed in everything you do! Lord, you’re the One and Only, the great and glorious God! Your display of wonders, miracles, and power makes the nations acknowledge you. By your glory-bursts, you have rescued us over and over. Just ask the sons of Jacob or the sons of Joseph and they will tell you! And all of us, your beloved ones, know that it is true!
As I stated in Sunday’s message, mankind cannot change the spiritual history of God. Mankind cannot change history. God’s works and His mighty deeds are sealed past, present and future. Satan has no power to open the seals. The Psalmist declares the Lord is actively involved in the nations. Just as he blessed Israel, the God of Israel continues to rescue us through his glory-bursts.
I like that word, glory-bursts. King James uses the word, strength; but the same word “oz” means power and might. Lord Jesus please visit us with your glory-bursts.
Psalm 77: 16-20: When the many waters of the Red Sea took one look at you, they were afraid and ran away to hide trembling to its depths! Storm clouds filled with water high in the skies; cloudbursts and thunderclaps announced your approach. Lightning-flashes lit up the landscape. Rolling whirlwinds exploded with sonic booms of thunder, rumbling as the skies shouted out your story with light, and sound, and wind. Everything on earth shook and trembled as you drew near. Your steps formed a highway through the seas with footprints on a pathway no one even knew was there. You led your people forward by your loving hand, blessed by the leadership of Moses and Aaron (T.P.T.).
From verses 13 to verse 20, the Psalmists rehearses a 16-fold greatness of God including nine of God’s weapons of warfare. This is the glory-bursts of the strength, might and power of God.
On Sunday evening, we are praying and releasing by Faith God’s weapons of warfare over this nation and the nations of the earth.
I will list this 16-fold greatness from King James.
77:13: “Who is so great as our God!”
77:14: “You are the God that does wonders.”
77:14: “You are the God that manifests strength among the people.”
77:15: “With your right arm, you have redeemed your people.
77:16: Controls the waters.
77:16: Makes the depts afraid.
77:17: “The clouds poured out water.”
77:17: “The skies send out a sound.”
77:17: “Your arrows went abroad.”
77:18: “The Voice of Thunder.”
77:18: “Send forth Your lightnings.”
77:18: “The earth trembled and shook.” (earthquakes)
77:19: “Your way is in the sea.”
77;19: “Your path in great waters.” (great oceans)
77:19: “Your footsteps are not known.”
77:20: “Leads Your people like a flock.”
By the act of God’s creative power, there is no entity that He cannot convert to a weapon of spiritual warfare or use for our blessing. Each weapon of God is custom made to fulfill a particular goal or purpose.
God’s Weapons of Warfare:
1. Lightning of God: “As no one can ignore lightening in the physical realm, no demonic gathering or perpetrators of bondage can joke with the spiritual weapon of lightning. The purpose of this weapon is to scatter, confuse, and make battalions of demonic agents to flee.” (Ps. 144:6; Ps. 18:14).
2. Earthquake: “The earthquake being referred to here is not a common earthquake. God uses great earthquakes to deal, in an unforgettable manner, with the enemy. One event that shook heaven and earth was the crucifixion of Jesus. To show the world that something great was taking place, there was a great earthquake.” (Mt. 27:51; Isa. 13:13; Joel 3:16).
3. Thunderbolt: Job. 38:25: Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water or a path for the thunderbolt. “When the Almighty goes into battle, He does the uncommon by leading captivity captive. With the weapon of the Almighty, the enemy is caught in the trap set by him.” (Job. 28:26).
4. Devouring Storm: A tempest describes a violent storm. This weapon has been created by God to pursue, terrify and consume every stubborn pursuer. Psalm 83: 14-17: Persecute them with your tempest, and make them afraid with your storm. Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek your name, O LORD, let them be confounded and troubled forever; yet let them be put to shame, and perish. (Dan. 7:10; Job 27: 2-23; Isa. 28:17).
5. Voice of God: “The voice of God is a voice of finality. The voice of God is a voice of deliverance. The voice of God is loaded with fire. The voice of God changes evil verdicts to declaration of victory. The voice of God erases every handwriting of darkness.” (Ps. 29:3-9). The voice of God can make wars to cease.
6. Thunder of God: “You shall be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.” The thunder is used when God want to lay bare his holy arm (Isa. 52:10). God uses this weapon when mocking powers are asking, “where is your God?” (Ex. 19:16).
7. Arrow of God: Like the battle-ax, “the arrow of God will go to the root of the problem. It is a formidable weapon of God’s warfare. The arrow of God is used against aggressive enemies. The arrow sends confusion into the camp of the enemy.” Ps. 64:7: God shall shoot at them with arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded. (2 Kings 13;17; Zech. 9;14).
8. Wind of God: The west wind is a wind of deliverance. The north wind drives away rain and is a messenger of God’s terrible majesty. The south wind brings heat. The east wind brings judgment, deliverance, and confusion. The Whirlwind demolishes witchcraft and bulldozes evil structures. (Hos. 8:7; Isa. 40:24; 41:16; 66:15; Jer. 30:23; 23:129).
9. Sound from the sky: “Confused noise is a weapon. God raises a confusing noise against enemies that fortify themselves. What the Bible terms as a strong delusion is a lying spirit. 1 Ki. 23:22; Ez. 14:9; ro. 1:14; Tim. 4:1). We are hearing a confused noise coming out of the mouth of the media, etc.
Our Lord is a man of war. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the tearing down of strongholds. (2 Co. 10:4).
I have seen by open-eye vision and “in the Spirit,” spiritual weapons of warfare. The Lord releases His weapons through angels and the spoken Word; or as He decrees it to be so. In order to engage in spiritual warfare, we must believe that God is sovereign over people, nations, powers, and principalities. We must believe that death, hell and the grave were defeated at the Cross. We must believe that Satan is not God’s adversary, but ours and in the power of God and the Blood of Jesus Christ, we have authority over all Satanic evil. We cannot use these weapons for carnal and self-serving warfare. Our warfare is only mighty “through God.”
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church
Scripture from K.J.V. and T.P.T. I entered into the labors of 101 Weapons of Warfare by Dr. D. K. Olukoya to describe the above nine spiritual weapons of God.