Today’s verse is “quaint,” yet fundamental in teaching us how to better live the Christian life. Psalm 77:5 is short, too, but echoes a great Old Testament Truth.

“I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.”

That’s all!

Yet … why such intense, deliberate reflection?

The Psalmist is suffering. Physically perhaps, but certainly emotionally.

Racked with “troubles,” running “sores” and overall “restlessness!” Add “insomnia” to the list as well. Things to him seem “out of control,” his word … “overwhelmed.”

But what’s the cause of such turmoil?

He is searching for the answer.

Talking to His God (praying) all the way through the trial!

So, Asaph pledges himself to REMEMBER!

To look to the past.

Again, our Text for today, Psalm 77:5 … “I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.”

“Remember,” one of the key words of the Christian life.

I just counted “remember” 14 different times in the Book of Deuteronomy alone! God does not want us to “forget!”

For example, Deuteronomy 5:15. “REMEMBER that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm.” Yes, consider the days of old, the years of ancient time … and see God’s Amazing Grace in your lives!

Then Deuteronomy 7:18-19. “Thou shalt well REMEMBER what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt; the great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out.” Recall God’s Might Acts on your behalf!

Deuteronomy 8:2 as well. “And thou shalt REMEMBER all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” Do not forget how God has trained, disciplined, prepared you to better obey His Word!

Consider the days of old, the years of ancient time … also remembering you past mistakes, sins! “REMEMBER, and FORGET NOT, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.” Deuteronomy 9:7

Such Psalm 77:5 remembering (“I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.”) is apparently a proper way to live the life of faith!

Again and again, remember!

That’s one reason God gave the Israelites Holy Days such a Passover! “That thou mayest REMEMBER the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt ALL THE DAYS OF THY LIFE.” Deuteronomy 16:3

Wow!

Maybe we too, should do more REMEMBERING, in this godly fashion.

Thank you, Asaph, for another valuable lesson.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell