Then I said, “It is my grief, that the right hand of the Most High has changed.” I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. Psalm 77:10-11

When things go south, we wonder if God has withdrawn his helping hand. It is upsetting and unnerving to sense that you’ve been abandoned, cast out to sea, if you will. This apparent severing could be a source of real panic. It causes great grief. But nothing could be farther from the truth.

The problem is you can’t always separate an act of God from your own failure (both acts of God by the way). Rarely are you fired for no cause. You might be laid off due to a numbers game, but there may be guilt or anger at not being viewed as good enough to survive the cut. Dwelling too long on the latter can do great damage to your faith and hope. If you did fail, if you weren’t good enough, it was by God’s hand for a greater purpose. You might not see this now, but you likely will later!

I will meditate on all Your work and muse on Your deeds. Your way, O God, is holy; what god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. You have by Your power redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Psalm 77:12-15

The hand of God moves in mysterious ways. We see it, give credit to it, when good things happen. But we must remember it’s also in what appears to be bad. “God causes all things to work together for good.” (Romans 8:28) So as you inventory the works of God’s hand in your life, recall the missteps as well, and how he reached out to grab your hand. Remember, meditate, muse on what he’s done in the past to derive hope for the future.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, remember God’s holiness and greatness, his strength and power. Far be it from us to know what’s best. Leave it to him to work his wonders! He’s a very present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

There is nothing he can’t conquer with the might of his right hand!