When We Cannot See the Way

When We Cannot See the Way 
by T. Austin-Sparks

"Thy way was in the sea, and thy paths in the great waters" (Psalm 77:19).

You will notice that the above words are taken from one of the eleven Psalms bearing the name of Asaph. You will also know that "Asaph the seer" (2 Chron. 29:30) was one of David's leaders of music; he was both choir-master and composer of words and music as well. But in this Psalm we meet the choir-master in doleful mood. He has lost his song and his music.

Asaph is deeply and heavily depressed; he is having a bad time. As he looks out on the situation (whatever it was), and contemplates his predicament, he goes deeper and deeper into the Slough of Despond, and begins to ask questions about God Himself - His mercy, His faithfulness, His kindness. The lights are all out along that street, and there is - apparently - no way out.

But, as is always the case with a true servant or child of God, there comes a point at which a reaction sets in.

The Sun will be found shining again and the song will return; but, as in the natural, so in the spiritual, the new day is first heralded by faint streaks of dawn, declaring that the turning-point between night and day has been reached. Verse 10 seems to be that point of crisis: "I said, This is my infirmity". 'This is really not the Lord. This is not the beginning and the end of the story. This is myself! I am making God after my own miserable image. I am reducing God to my own temperamental complexion.' We, too, may do that sort of thing, and indeed we often do. It may be very real. But, however real, we must always take account of our "infirmity", our constitutional or temperamental or dispositional limitation.

When We Cannot See the Way

by T. Austin-Sparks


"Thy way was in the sea, and thy paths in the great waters" (Psalm 77:19).

You will notice that the above words are taken from one of the eleven Psalms bearing the name of Asaph. You will also know that "Asaph the seer" (2 Chron. 29:30) was one of David's leaders of music; he was both choir-master and composer of words and music as well. But in this Psalm we meet the choir-master in doleful mood. He has lost his song and his music.

Asaph is deeply and heavily depressed; he is having a bad time. As he looks out on the situation (whatever it was), and contemplates his predicament, he goes deeper and deeper into the Slough of Despond, and begins to ask questions about God Himself - His mercy, His faithfulness, His kindness. The lights are all out along that street, and there is - apparently - no way out.
But, as is always the case with a true servant or child of God, there comes a point at which a reaction sets in.