In our trials, often times it brings depression and grief to the soul. We feel run down and tired from the things of this world. We often take our anger out on people because of what we are going through. We don’t mean to but our demeanor does it on its own. These dark times can lead us to doubt God. We may feel like he has given up on us. You may say to God, 2“How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?” We were once so close to God but somehow he feels so distant now. Your heart could be feeling, 2“How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?” However, God does love you even when it doesn’t seem possible. All he asks of you is to call upon his name in your broken state. Cast your eyes upon God and consider what David said, 2“Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eye.” He didn’t give up on the Lord. He continued to ask for His help in order to be enlightened by his situation. In His continued prayer, he said, 2“But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” In all this sadness he took comfort in the Lord’s mercy and grace. In this moment, something amazing happened. His grief turned into gladness. The mercy of God led him to rejoice. He sung out in praise to the King of glory because this situation only made him stronger. 1We are tried by God but never forget that these trials are only for our good. We are able to grow spiritually if we continue to lean upon the Lord when times are rough.
Many times I felt lost and broken inside. God felt very distant. Often times, this was when I wasn’t reading God’s Word, or in sin. When I forget to read the Bible my life is different. It is like a light switch goes off and I am lost in the darkness. I am unable to feel the presence of God not because He doesn’t care for me but because I left Him. The words of the Bible are alive and speak to the heart. If I stop reading, God’s words becomes void in my life. I can try to make it up in prayer but it won’t help forever if we aren’t studying His words daily. In sin, my soul is lost. I have strayed from the straight and narrow path to heaven. My temple has been made filthy by the world. God hasn’t left me but I have left Him. The only way I am able to get back on track with God is to turn from my sins and trust in Him. In repentance, I am able to feel God’s awesome presence again. I don’t need to yell out to God any longer for He is by my side. If you feel God is distant in your life than ask yourself, am I living for God or myself? Do I love Him enough to give Him the time He deserves in prayer and Bible study? The Lord doesn’t have to be distant. In our brokenness He can give us peace. God can bring us into His love if we let Him. Look to God in trials and you will be able to see through them and come into the light of Christ.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I am grateful for my trials. They only draw me closer to you. When times are hard, I will seek Your face for comfort. Never leave me, Lord. Make a home in my heart. You are my salvation. I trust in You. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Psalm 11:5 (KJV)
5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
2Psalm 13:1-6 (KJV)
1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
