“Where are you, God?” This is a commonly asked question asked when people find themselves in the pit and depths of sorrows in life. Trials tend to flip our world upside down and strain our relationship with God. We may question how a good and loving God could allow such trials, feeling a hint of resentment. Feeling lost and confused, we stumble forward without clear direction, facing an unpleasant journey. Even King David, known for his devotion to God as a man after God's own heart, cried out many times for divine intervention and solace for his troubled soul, aching heart and restless mind. This is why I absolutely love the book of Psalms...David is transparent and vulnerable in his true struggles, emotions and mindsets, even as a devout follower of the Lord. Throughout history, humans have grappled with the sense of God's absence, despite pleading for His presence. Although the silence can be heartbreaking and isolating, there is value in the Almighty's silence, offering us opportunities for faith growth through reflection and action.
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest." ~ Psalm 22:1-2
Humanity is not the only one to put forth such a query. Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father and a member of the Holy Trinity, cried out the same query in Matthew 27:46 “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” According to Strong’s concordance, this emotional lament from the Lord translates exactly as, “You have left (forsaken, abandoned) me.” Those are strong words. Hurtful words. Our Savior, who redeemed our souls by shedding His blood and drinking from a cup of wrath meant for us, experienced the anguish of feeling abandoned and silenced by His own Father. While Jesus was being unjustly tortured and feeling utterly alone, why would abandonment be added to the physical and mental torment He was enduring?
Due to the immense and unfathomable love of God that surpasses human understanding, a period of silence and abandonment was required to fulfill the will of God of the atonement for our sins. Fortunately, we are not expected to completely comprehend the "why" of the entire journey to Golgotha, but are instead invited to simply accept His grace and forgiveness and let His propitiation wash over our souls.
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?’” ~Matthew 27:46
Strangely, it is an immense comfort in knowing that my Lord and Savior also felt the silence of God the Father. When we feel that God has fallen silent, has disconnected, and has abandoned us, I find it quite comforting that that even Jesus Himself has felt the angst of abandon, and He can relate and empathize with our struggle of silence. Furthermore, despite this devastating silence, Christ still accomplished the will of the Father by drinking the cup before Him so that we could have the opportunity of salvation and reconciliation with God. Likewise, even in our trials when silence and sorrow reign supreme, God can and will still use us to glorify Him and lead others to Him even if we may not know how or when or even get to see how this glorification will occur. Silence does not mean God is not doing strong work in the background of the tapestry of life, but rather that He is using us, His children, as a "vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (~ 2 Timothy 2:1) So, when we're feeling abandoned and like God's not close anymore, what can we do? Let's delve into some deliberate steps we can take.
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses..." ~ Hebrews 4:14a
Allow truth to calm a fearful soul. When your soul feels weak from the burden of abandonment and resonates with the lament of Jesus…Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani…remember the truths found in the Scriptures, God's sacred words for us. Here are a few verses from the Bible that I cherish, reading and reflecting on them to hold onto truth even when my soul is shaken by my own inner struggles and the deceit of the enemy.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:38-39
"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:8
Beg the Lord to not be silent, but to speak truth and comfort into your weary soul. When emotions and what we perceive as truth becomes loud, truth must still speak louder into our hearts and mind. Never forget that though emotion may be tied to reality, emotion cannot be leaned on as it is not always truth.
“Be not silent, O God of my praise!” ~ Psalm 109:1
2. Pray with confidence. This is a tough one. When God seems silent and prayers seem to be stacked up unaswered, it can make you want to throw the towel in and quit prayer altogether. I've been there; I am there currently. God is still working even in the silence, and it is of value to know while God works thing for good, this good is not necessarily something we will get to witness and we are not promised the opportuniuty to witness His work on this side of eternity, though we crave it for justification of our suffering. Additionally, our prayers do not fall on deaf ears.
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." ~ Hebrews 4:16
3. Wait for God. Ugh. We all know how difficult waiting can be! The frustration and anticipation of what's to come next is exhausting and nerve-wracking. Waiting is one of the worst actions in life as it prolongs the not knowing the good or bad things to come. Yet, waiting is a good discipline to practice and implement into our lives as we press forward. Patience is notably mentioned as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, and mentioend many times throughout the Bible. Waiting is of value to God, thus it must become of value to us.
"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." ~ Micah 7:7
"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him." ~ Lamentations 3:25
4. Be still and know that God is God. The phrase "be still" in Psalms stems from the Hebrew word rapha, which means "to slacken, let down, or cease." This two-worded phrase is a command to relinquish control and surrender to the Lord. Surrender is one of the most difficult actions to do. We like control, we like to know what's going on and like to plan. We must put Hebrews 12:2 into action and fix our eyes on Jesus, purposefully working to remove our gaze and attention from the trials at hand, as hard as that is. Cease fighting to have control, and genuinely release it to the Lord. Additionally, take action to disconnect from the world and your routine to just be quiet and reflect on the powerful gift of knowing God is sovereign Lord over all, a Shepherd to His beloved sheep, Teacher, Healer, our Savior, or Father, and Emmanuel, which means "God with us."
"Be still, and know that I am God." ~ Psalm 46:10a
5. Look for Jesus earnestly. Seeking Jesus is a lifelong commitment that requires continuous effort and dedication. It is not a one-time event but a daily practice of searching for the presence of the Lord in our lives. This journey of faith necessitates a deep desire to connect with Jesus, to seek Him in every aspect of our existence, and to cultivate a relationship with Him. By looking for Jesus earnestly, we acknowledge His constant presence in our lives, His unwavering love for us, and His guidance in our daily endeavors. As we embark on this journey of seeking Jesus, we must open our hearts to His teachings, His grace, and His omnipotence and omniscience. In the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties, we find solace in the knowledge that Jesus is always with us, guiding us, comforting us, and leading us on a path of transformation and redemption. So, continue to seek Jesus earnestly, with faith, hope, and perseverance, knowing that He is there, always by our side, ready to embrace us with His boundless love and mercy as He orchestrates and permits the happenings of this broken world for His good pleasure.
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek His presence continually!" ~ 1 Chronicles 16:11
6. Find refuge in Him by holding on to His Word for protection, safety, and security. Dedicate time to pray and communicate with your Savior, and strive to lead a life that is both pleasing and loving to the Lord, regardless of the challenges you may face. Seek, and you shall find. This is a promise written in Matthew 7:7-10, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"
"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him." ~ Nahum 1:7
7. Set anxiety aside confidently. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that plague the mind, remember that God, who knows every detail about you, is in control. He is same God yesterday, today and tomorrow who knows the number of hairs on your head, named the stars, and bottles your tears. Recognize and remember that He is sovereign. While the unknown and broken aspects of life may seem overwhelming, anxiety will not solve anything or piece together what is broken. Instead, embrace the peace that surpasses understanding, graciously given by God to all.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." ~ Philippians 4:6
Commentaires