Courage’s Inner Dialogue

Psalm 77 August 29, 2021 preached by Scott Sottosanti Download Time of Reflection Quotations “A man of conscience can never be a consensus leader. He doesn’t take a stand to search for consensus, he’s ultimately a molder of consensus. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and […]

Psalm 77

August 29, 2021

preached by Scott Sottosanti

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“A man of conscience can never be a consensus leader. He doesn’t take a stand to search for consensus, he’s ultimately a molder of consensus. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

~Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), civil rights leader

“Courage is a prerequisite for all leadership. And it can be taught. It’s made up of four skills: being vulnerable is the most important, followed by sticking to values, trusting others and persistence. There can be no courage without vulnerability and no vulnerability without the risk of failure.”

~Brené Brown (1965-present), American author and professor

“It takes courage to be hopeful, but when we are hopeful we find the strength to do the things that allow us to change the world.”

~Bryan Stevenson (1959-present), lawyer and activist

“There is no power without prayer, and there is no power in prayer without a resolve to endure all things for the sake of Jesus.”

~Jack Miller (1928-1996), American pastor, professor, and missions leader

“Familiarity with the biblical narrative of the crucifixion has dulled our sense of just how completely novel a deity Christ was … [Christianity] is the principal reason why, by and large, most of us who live in post-Christian societies still take for granted that it is nobler to suffer than to inflict suffering. It is why we generally assume that every human life is of equal value.”

~Tom Holland, British and atheist historian

“I find a lot of dishonesty in Christian art. And I think it’s a shame because [the psalmists] are people who are vulnerable to God in a good way…porous, open. I would love if… people writing these gospel songs would write a song about their bad marriage…Why I’m suspicious of Christians is because of this lack of realism.”

~Bono (1960-present), lead singer of U2

“Everyone is broken by life, but some people are stronger in those broken places.”

~Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), American novelist and journalist

“Suffering only hurts you if you can’t attach it to a narrative of redemption.”

~David Brooks (1961-present), New York Times columnist

Psalm 77 (ESV)

1  I cry aloud to God,

aloud to God, and he will hear me.

2  In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;

in the night my hand is stretched out

without wearying;

my soul refuses to be comforted.

3  When I remember God, I moan;

when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

4  You hold my eyelids open;

I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

5  I consider the days of old,

the years long ago.

6  I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;

let me meditate in my heart.”

Then my spirit made a diligent search:

7 “Will the Lord spurn forever,

and never again be favorable?

8  Has his steadfast love forever ceased?

Are his promises at an end for all time?

9  Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this,

to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

12 I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds.

13 Your way, O God, is holy.

What god is great like our God?

14 You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among

the peoples.

15 You with your arm redeemed your people,

the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16 When the waters saw you, O God,

when the waters saw you, they were afraid;

indeed, the deep trembled.

17 The clouds poured out water;

the skies gave forth thunder;

your arrows flashed on every side.

18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;

your lightnings lighted up the world;

the earth trembled and shook.

19 Your way was through the sea,

your path through the great waters;

yet your footprints were unseen.

20 You led your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.