O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
(“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” Lemmel, H. H., 1922)
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.
In the day of my trouble
I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.
When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah (Ps. 77:1-3 ESV, emphasis added).
Then [Jesus] said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;
remain here,
and watch with me” (Mt. 26:38 ESV).
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
and life more abundant and free!
Lord, this is Your gift of strong faith in the crisis: crying to You, seeking You, and turning our eyes upon Jesus. Who understands our needs more than You do? For He willingly experienced it all for us. It may feel like we’re abandoned when heavy darkness surrounds us, violent attacks abound, and depression takes hold.
You compassionately know what it’s like.
Please help those who need Your words of a gospel love song today.
I’m too exhausted even to pray
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
look full in his wonderful face.
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak (Ps. 77:4 ESV).
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Rom. 8:26 ESV).
Help me remember Your gospel love song, Lord
I consider the days of old, the years long ago (Ps. 77:5 ESV).
I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
“Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?” (Ps. 77:6-7 ESV)
For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only Son (Jn. 3:16a ESV).
That whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life (Jn. 3:16b ESV).
Help me remember Your glorious gospel song, Your love, for me, in Jesus Christ
“Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? (Ps. 77:8 ESV).
Through death into life everlasting
he passed, and we follow him there…
“Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah (Ps. 77:9 ESV).
This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins (1 Jn. 4:10 NLT).
Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High” (Ps. 77:10 ESV).
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old (Ps. 77:11 ESV).
I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds (Ps. 77:12 ESV).
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn. 10:11 ESV).
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (Jn. 10:28-30 ESV).
Over us sin no more hath dominion-
for more than conquerors we are!
I remember who You ARE, shown to me in Your mighty deeds, the work of Jesus Christ, Your gospel love song
You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples (Ps. 77:14 ESV).
Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? (Ps. 77:13 ESV).
“I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (Jn. 17:26 ESV).
You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah (Ps. 77:15 ESV)
When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled (Ps. 77:16 ESV).
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth (Job. 19:25 ESV)!
And [Jesus] awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm (Lk. 8:24 ESV).
I remember Your gospel love song’s promises, to save Your people
The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook (Ps. 77:17-18 ESV).
Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen (Ps. 77:19 ESV, emphasis added).
In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world (Heb. 1:2 ESV).
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff
they comfort me (Ps. 23:4 ESV, emphasis added).
His Word shall not fail you– he promised;
believe him, and all will be well…
You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron (Ps. 77:20 ESV).
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of his glory and grace.
Give me simple songs to help me remember, singing the gospel of Jesus Christ into crisis attacks and depression
When crisis attacks, when trauma is ongoing, when pain is 20/10, when depression overtakes us, our brains can only process “simple.” In these most desperate times, we need repetitive songs that quickly become memorized earworms! Our compassionate Lord can bring to mind as we need them, helping us sing-pray truths of His Word as we cry aloud to Him.
Based on my many years of professional and personal experience, I’ve professionally curated a playlist for times when we can barely think or focus. The songs echo gospel truths as “praise interruptions” to help us turn our eyes upon Jesus. Praise to our Lord, for He also brings endurance through the music, because it fosters healing neurochemical reactions in our brains and bodies.
If this might bless you or someone you love, here is the link to receive weekly playlists in your email, with my love and prayers. Or perhaps other resources below might help?
Devotional Bible study prayer journals, available on Amazon. Click for details.
Singing the Gospel to Job: FInding Hope in Suffering
Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering
Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character in Our Suffering
