It is always difficult for me to give hope or provide a suitable answer to one who has called on God for help and the call seems to go unanswered. What can I say to that one about an “absent” God?
What happens, when in the midst of a life-ending disease, God does not respond or act in the way we want Him to act? What are we to think if God does not act in a way that meets our expectations? What can we say to an unbeliever who is asking questions about the suffering that goes on with no end in sight if we talk of a loving God? When thousands are starving and food is going to waste can we assure the hungry that God is sensitive to their pangs of hunger? What do we say to the scoffer? In fact, what do we who believe in a God who answers our prayers, do when He seems to turn a deaf ear on us?
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory because of Your love and faithfulness.” The Gentiles were challenging the Israelites about a “silent God.” They were looking for a God who kept His word and this time He was nowhere to be found. While it is clear that God is in the heavens, what is He doing on earth? The Psalmist lives in the present - as we do - and wants to know why God seems unconcerned. The Psalmist in this verse wants God to act for God’s sake - “Not to us,” he cries. So, what’s the answer? Is there one?
We live in a fallen world. Satan is still powerful and active. “All things will be new” when He returns. And in between now and then, He promises, “Lo, I am with you!”
Prayer: Father, Your Son did not want to suffer, but He did. As You were with Him, be with us also. Come soon! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Psalm 115:1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
No comments:
Post a Comment