by Rev Douglas Brauner

Recalling God’s Grace in Life’s Struggles

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

A number of years ago, I consulted with a church in Anchorage, Alaska. They were without a pastor and were struggling with division.

I met with individuals and couples to find out more about their struggles. However, I thought it best to ease into these conversations. So I asked people to tell me a little about themselves and how they were doing.

It was the end of October and the days were getting short…real short. Many of the people I talked with told me that they were dreading winter. The long nights were unbearable.

“Yours is the day, yours also the night.”
Psalm 74:16a English Standard Version

Whether we struggle with the day or the night, it is comforting to know that God is Lord of both. Day and night belong to God.

Some of us struggle with waking up in the morning and finding motivation to meet the day. Others of us dread the relentless darkness of night.

The owner of the night is God. The owner of the day is God.

What do we do when the day is filled with hopelessness? What do we do when the night is unrelenting in restlessness?

“I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”
Psalm 77:12 English Standard Version

The psalmist, Asaph, was experiencing the darkness of the soul when he wrote these words.

God was silent in his struggles.

All he could do was reflect on the past, remembering the mighty things that God had done even though he wasn’t presently experiencing them, or had even witnessed them.

The psalmist remembered God delivering his people through the Red Sea.

Whether we struggle with the day or the night, we remember God’s salvation.

We remember what he has done for us in Jesus the One who was consumed by the darkness of sin on his cross.

Pondering God’s mighty deeds of grace gives hope in the darkness.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado