R³ Devotional - Day 116
R³ Devotional - Day 116 Psalm 73, 77, 78
By: Brooke Serres
1. The Struggle with Comparison and Doubt (Psalm 73)
Asaph begins Psalm 73 with raw honesty: “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold” (Psalm 73:2). He had watched the wicked prosper, and it seemed like their lives were easier—no pain, no struggle, just success. And yet, as he compared himself to them, he felt discouraged, like all his efforts to live righteously were in vain.?
How often do we find ourselves in the same place? We look around and see people thriving—maybe those whose lives seem easier or more successful than our own. We might think, Why does it seem like they’re getting everything they want, while I’m struggling to get by? Why does it feel like my best efforts are going unnoticed or unappreciated? It's in these moments that we start to question God’s fairness and wonder if our faithfulness truly matters.
I’ve been there. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison—whether it’s in our work, relationships, or even our spiritual walk. The question arises, Is God really looking out for me? We all know that comparison steals our peace, but sometimes it feels so natural to look around and wonder why our lives aren’t matching up to what we think they should be.
The real struggle isn’t the comparison; it’s the subtle lie we begin to believe—that God isn’t fair, or that He doesn’t care. We can begin to lose our footing in our faith when we look at others and measure our lives against theirs.
Relevant Life Application:
2. The Turning Point: Remembering God’s Faithfulness (Psalm 77)
Asaph doesn’t remain stuck in his confusion. In verse 10, he shifts his focus: “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.”
When life feels unfair and we are tempted to lose heart, we must choose to remember. Asaph knew that in the midst of doubt, it was essential to return to what he knew to be true about God—His faithfulness, His goodness, His miracles. Asaph didn’t just dwell in his current pain; he chose to look back at the times when God had been there for him. And in doing so, he found his heart being restored.
In my own life, when I’ve faced deep pain or confusion, I’ve found that remembering God’s faithfulness has been a turning point. When I was facing major decisions or when life felt out of control, looking back on moments when God had been faithful reminded me of His character. I would recount specific answers to prayer, times when He had provided when I thought there was no way, and how He had given me peace in moments of overwhelming anxiety. In those times of remembrance, my heart would shift from frustration to trust.
Relevant Life Application:
3. The Danger of Forgetting (Psalm 78)
Psalm 78 serves as a cautionary tale. The Israelites, despite seeing God’s mighty deeds—parting the Red Sea, providing manna from heaven, leading them with a cloud by day and a fire by night—forgot. They complained, they tested God, and they turned their hearts away from Him. “They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them” (Psalm 78:11).
Why do we forget? It’s easy to remember the hard things, the pain, and the struggle. But when things settle, when God provides, and when we experience blessings, it’s tempting to move forward without reflecting on how He got us through the hard times. We forget the battles He fought on our behalf. We forget the grace He extended when we didn’t deserve it. We forget the moments when His presence was our only comfort.
I know for me, I’ve had seasons where I was so caught up in my busy life, or overwhelmed by the present moment, that I forgot to pause and thank God for what He had already done. It wasn’t intentional; it just happened. But when I returned to those moments of remembrance, I found a deep sense of peace and awe. We must actively choose to remember and pass those memories along to others, whether through prayer, journaling, or conversations with those around us.
Relevant Life Application:
4. God’s Faithfulness in Our Present
The beautiful thing about remembering God’s past faithfulness is that it gives us hope for the present. As we remember how He has led us, we can trust that He will continue to guide us through whatever challenges we face. Just because our current circumstances don’t match what we expected, or because we can’t see the way forward, doesn’t mean that God isn’t working. His faithfulness isn’t tied to our understanding or to our timing—it is tied to His unchanging nature.
I’ll be honest, sometimes it feels like God is silent when I need Him most. But I’ve learned that even in silence, He is at work. When I look back at the difficult seasons of my life, I can see how He was shaping me, teaching me, and preparing me for what was to come. Those moments are some of my most treasured reminders of His faithfulness.
Relevant Life Application:
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your constant faithfulness, even when I cannot see it. I confess that I have struggled with comparison, doubt, and forgetfulness. Help me to remember Your mighty deeds, to look back on the ways You’ve shown up for me, and to trust that You will continue to be faithful in this moment. Strengthen my heart to stay grounded in Your promises, even when life feels unfair. Thank you for always being with me. Amen.
Real Action Steps:
Asaph begins Psalm 73 with raw honesty: “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold” (Psalm 73:2). He had watched the wicked prosper, and it seemed like their lives were easier—no pain, no struggle, just success. And yet, as he compared himself to them, he felt discouraged, like all his efforts to live righteously were in vain.?
How often do we find ourselves in the same place? We look around and see people thriving—maybe those whose lives seem easier or more successful than our own. We might think, Why does it seem like they’re getting everything they want, while I’m struggling to get by? Why does it feel like my best efforts are going unnoticed or unappreciated? It's in these moments that we start to question God’s fairness and wonder if our faithfulness truly matters.
I’ve been there. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison—whether it’s in our work, relationships, or even our spiritual walk. The question arises, Is God really looking out for me? We all know that comparison steals our peace, but sometimes it feels so natural to look around and wonder why our lives aren’t matching up to what we think they should be.
The real struggle isn’t the comparison; it’s the subtle lie we begin to believe—that God isn’t fair, or that He doesn’t care. We can begin to lose our footing in our faith when we look at others and measure our lives against theirs.
Relevant Life Application:
- Have you ever found yourself comparing your journey to someone else’s? What did that comparison stir in you—anger, bitterness, frustration, or doubt? Spend a few moments with God, asking Him to help you let go of unhealthy comparisons and re-center your heart on Him.
2. The Turning Point: Remembering God’s Faithfulness (Psalm 77)
Asaph doesn’t remain stuck in his confusion. In verse 10, he shifts his focus: “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.”
When life feels unfair and we are tempted to lose heart, we must choose to remember. Asaph knew that in the midst of doubt, it was essential to return to what he knew to be true about God—His faithfulness, His goodness, His miracles. Asaph didn’t just dwell in his current pain; he chose to look back at the times when God had been there for him. And in doing so, he found his heart being restored.
In my own life, when I’ve faced deep pain or confusion, I’ve found that remembering God’s faithfulness has been a turning point. When I was facing major decisions or when life felt out of control, looking back on moments when God had been faithful reminded me of His character. I would recount specific answers to prayer, times when He had provided when I thought there was no way, and how He had given me peace in moments of overwhelming anxiety. In those times of remembrance, my heart would shift from frustration to trust.
Relevant Life Application:
- Take a moment to think about how God has been faithful in your life. What are the moments that stand out to you the most—times when God answered your prayers, showed up unexpectedly, or gave you peace in the storm? Write them down or speak them out loud. Let these memories fill your heart with gratitude and trust.
3. The Danger of Forgetting (Psalm 78)
Psalm 78 serves as a cautionary tale. The Israelites, despite seeing God’s mighty deeds—parting the Red Sea, providing manna from heaven, leading them with a cloud by day and a fire by night—forgot. They complained, they tested God, and they turned their hearts away from Him. “They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them” (Psalm 78:11).
Why do we forget? It’s easy to remember the hard things, the pain, and the struggle. But when things settle, when God provides, and when we experience blessings, it’s tempting to move forward without reflecting on how He got us through the hard times. We forget the battles He fought on our behalf. We forget the grace He extended when we didn’t deserve it. We forget the moments when His presence was our only comfort.
I know for me, I’ve had seasons where I was so caught up in my busy life, or overwhelmed by the present moment, that I forgot to pause and thank God for what He had already done. It wasn’t intentional; it just happened. But when I returned to those moments of remembrance, I found a deep sense of peace and awe. We must actively choose to remember and pass those memories along to others, whether through prayer, journaling, or conversations with those around us.
Relevant Life Application:
- Have you noticed any patterns in your own life where you forget God’s faithfulness once things get better? How can you create habits of remembrance, whether by journaling, praying, or speaking with others about God’s goodness? Ask God to show you areas where you might need to re-focus on Him today.
4. God’s Faithfulness in Our Present
The beautiful thing about remembering God’s past faithfulness is that it gives us hope for the present. As we remember how He has led us, we can trust that He will continue to guide us through whatever challenges we face. Just because our current circumstances don’t match what we expected, or because we can’t see the way forward, doesn’t mean that God isn’t working. His faithfulness isn’t tied to our understanding or to our timing—it is tied to His unchanging nature.
I’ll be honest, sometimes it feels like God is silent when I need Him most. But I’ve learned that even in silence, He is at work. When I look back at the difficult seasons of my life, I can see how He was shaping me, teaching me, and preparing me for what was to come. Those moments are some of my most treasured reminders of His faithfulness.
Relevant Life Application:
- What area of your life do you need to remember God's faithfulness in right now? Is there a challenge or difficulty where you need to trust that He has not left you, even if you cannot see the solution yet?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your constant faithfulness, even when I cannot see it. I confess that I have struggled with comparison, doubt, and forgetfulness. Help me to remember Your mighty deeds, to look back on the ways You’ve shown up for me, and to trust that You will continue to be faithful in this moment. Strengthen my heart to stay grounded in Your promises, even when life feels unfair. Thank you for always being with me. Amen.
Real Action Steps:
- Personal Reflection: Each day this week, spend a few minutes recalling one way God has been faithful in your life. Write it down, pray about it, and let that memory be a foundation for your trust moving forward.
- Share with Someone: Is there someone you know who might need a reminder of God’s faithfulness today? Reach out to them and share a story of how God has shown up for you, trusting that your story will encourage them in their own faith journey.
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