The God who leads without footprints
Reflection on today’s Scripture from our reading plan.
The God who leads without footprints
“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” (Psa. 77:19–20 NIV11)
Psalm 77 is a journey. It starts on a bed of tears and distress.
“I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.” (Psa. 77:1 NIV11)
The author is facing a trial of faith. “Will the Lord reject forever?” Is the question of vs 7. Nothing is going right. God appears to be absent. What’s to be done? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Of course the question is profoundly personal. It’s not just has He forgotten to be merciful to Israel.. it’s has he forgotten me?
The solution to this anxiety is to turn to God’s track record. Rather than asking, “what have you done for me lately?” Asaph (the author) turns instead to,
“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.” (Psa. 77:10-11 NIV11)
Memory is the key.
Has God been faithful in the past? Of course. Because of His unchangeable character we can rely on God being the same yesterday, today and, forever. Asaph turns His mind to the famous deeds of the Lord as the bedrock to His trustworthiness today.
That’s where our opening quote comes in. God had saved Israel in the past. He saved them from annihilation before Pharaoh by leading them through the Red Sea. And when he did it.. well God’s footprints weren’t seen. God was surely leading through Moses and Aaron His appointed leaders but it was them you saw and not God Himself.
God’s guiding hand isn’t always visible. His care, however, is always present.
Could God be with you yet? Could it be that what you need today is to remember His faithfulness despite the fact that you can’t see His footprints? God will lead His faithful people home. Unerringly. Even as the day is tough. Even as the bed is soaked with tears. God has said through His Son,
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20 NIV11)
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness and unfailing love. As the disciples walking with Jesus prayed so I do today. “I do believe, help me overcome my disbelief.” Sustain me today Lord. Remind me of Your trustworthiness by refreshing my heart to the great themes of salvation in Your Word. Help me to trust today that You will never leave or forsake me, even if I can’t see Your footprints. Amen.
Stuart.
