Daily Devotional for Thursday, August 29

Asaph’s Sorrow

“I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah,” Psalm 77:1-3.

A well-known classic gospel song, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” has been recorded by many Christian recording artists. This song was a result of a season of deep grief for Thomas A. Dorsey. Dorsey had recently been hired to direct the gospel choir at Pilgrim Baptist Church when his wife and baby died during labor. Dorsey sank into a deep depression as he carried the sorrow of his great loss.

One night after dinner in the home of a friend and fellow choir director, Dorsey sat at the piano and began composing the words to his well-known classic. Soon after the song was completed, he sang it at Pilgrim Baptist Church during Sunday service. He was shocked when he noticed many people in the altar and all around the building crying out to God in prayer. His song, born out of great sorrow, had ministered to the hearts of many other souls that day.

Like Thomas A. Dorsey, Asaph poured out his heart to God in a song during great sorrow. God recorded Asaph’s song in the Psalms to minister to the hearts of every soul who reads Psalm 77. Crying out to God in worship during seasons of suffering, these two fellow-believers from different centuries have given Christians a reminder of the immeasurable comfort and joy we can find in God in the midst of sorrow.

DAILY REMINDER

No matter how dark the season you are walking in, lift your heart in worship to God. He will hear you and respond with grace as only He can.

Steven Ridings