Do you pray – and pray – and pray – and wonder if the Lord is hearing your prayer? And if He is, why He isn’t answering?
You’ve grown in your faith. You trust in His Word. You believe His promises. But you’re still praying. And wondering. I admit. I am.
You’re not alone.
I’m right there with you.
And David, the Psalmist, whom God loved tremendously, is with us also. He knows grief. He knows distress. He knows waiting.
He comes right out and asks God. I’m asking right along with David:
How long, Lord, before you answer me? It seems like you’re turning your face from me. How long must I struggle with this agony, anxiety, and sorrow in my soul? It seems that the enemy is winning this battle . . . Oh, Lord, turn and look at me and answer me. Give light to my eyes – restore the sparkle I once had. Don’t let my enemy think he has won.
Then, as David does, we too need to recognize God. This is where we must go. This is what we must do. We must respond to our own distress by recognizing who God is. David’s example of recognition is perfect for us, as well:
But, I trust in your unfailing love, Lord God. My heart rejoices in the salvation you have given me and continue to give me. You have been good to me.
You have been good to me. Oh how this causes me to remember God’s goodness. Over and over. A lifetime of it. He has been good to me.
Now I’m trusting more. He knows me. More than I know my own soul. Now I must strengthen myself in the Word.
I read more about God, learning more about myself, as I do:
Lord, You know everything about me. Everything. You know where I am, what I’m doing. You know my thoughts and my words – before I even speak them. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. You are always with me. Always. You’re in front of me and behind me. You hem me in as my Grandmother hemmed each piece of clothing. Securely. Snugly. Safely. If I choose to go up toward the heavens, You are there. If I go down into the depths of the Earth, You are there. If I fly toward the dawn of the morning or toward the farthest oceans, Your hand is there to guide and support me. It’s impossible for me to hide in the darkness. You still see me – because You bring light into my darkness.
There it is my friend – He brings light into my darkness. He brings light into your darkness. Just as He brought light into David’s darkness.
And so I close my eyes and I see His hand of blessing reaching toward me, guiding and supporting me. He places His hand upon my head.
And I am blessed in the waiting. And in His presence.
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From Psalm 13 and Psalm 139