APRIL 17
Psalm 77:19, “Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.”
As I approached graduation from seminary in the spring of 1990, Laura and I were praying for God’s guidance, seeking His direction for our future ministry. We had no idea where He might lead us. At the same time, unbeknownst to us, two men in Astoria, in a struggling church on the verge of closing its doors, were also praying—asking God to bring them a new pastor. In His perfect timing, God answered both prayers, leading us to Lewis and Clark Bible Church—the very church where the first member of my extended family was saved and the place where I would serve as pastor for the next 27 and a half years. Though none of us could visibly observe His hand at work at the time (“his footsteps”), it later became clear to all that God had orchestrated every step of the journey.
Similarly, in Psalm 77, Asaph cries out to God, overwhelmed by distress and searching for relief. His sorrow is so great that he cannot sleep, nor can he find words to express his anguish. In his despair, he questions whether God has abandoned His people—whether His steadfast love has ceased, or if He has forgotten to be gracious. Yet amid his turmoil, Asaph reflected on God’s past faithfulness. He recalled a time when God gave him a “song in the night” (Psalm 77:6) and meditated on the Lord’s mighty deeds—especially the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt. God shook the earth, divided the sea, and led His people to safety. Though His presence was unseen, His power was undeniable. As Asaph reflects, he acknowledges a profound truth: “Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen” (Psalm 77:19).
Like Asaph, we often struggle to understand the ways of God. He works behind the scenes, unseen and mysterious, accomplishing His perfect plan in ways beyond our comprehension. Though He leaves no visible footprints, we can look back in wonder, recognizing His hand in our lives and allowing those past experiences to renew our trust in Him amid our present trials.
“Perfect timing is God’s fingerprint!”
Application Questions: Think back to how God has worked in unseen ways to do amazing things in your own life. How can those past experiences work to encourage your present troubles? Thank Him, as you pray for God to lead and intervene in your life as you continue to love and serve Him.
LookingtoJesus 