Who has not felt like looking to Heaven and asking these same questions? Have you felt abandoned by God, as though no matter how much you call out to Him, there’s no answer? Listen, don’t feel guilty for having those feelings.
David felt them. He’s the one who wrote these words!
Jesus felt this, too. As He hung on the cross that Friday so long ago, He felt what it was like to not be one with the Father. He felt the loss of His presence. Why? Why would He go through that?
For you.
Jesus came for this purpose. He was and is God. Don’t ask me to explain the Trinity. In my book that’s a faith matter that will not be explained until we see Him face-to-face.
Jesus walked this earth and experienced all that we do in those short years of life. He knows what it is to be hungry, to be lonely, to be weary in body and spirit. And there on the cross, He knew what it felt like to not be in the presence of God.
My friend, our feelings should not make us feel guilty. What we DO with those feelings? That’s a different story.
David continued in this psalm to work through what he was feeling and came to the realization that God is God and is always holy, always right, always good. He praised the God of his youth and proclaimed Him righteous.
It seems to me that by revealing his fears and feelings to God, praying about them and seeking God, David found those fears and feelings relieved. He found relief and solace in the truth of God by praying to Him about that which had him so bothered.
There’s a lesson for us here. No matter what that thing is that has our hearts torn and broken, we must take it to God. In that step of faith, believing He is there even when we don’t feel it, we meet Him and find our fears alleviated. Not once and for all. Our memories are too weak for that and besides, we’d become arrogant and believe in ourselves more than the Savior.
Let’s try this today. No matter what you’re feeling: abandoned by God, fear of sickness, loss of joy, grief… whatever, take that feeling in all its raw and painful mess and talk to God about it. Shout if you must. Beg for relief. Rehearse who God is, speak the truth you know of Him over the situation until you are at the place where you know He has not changed and He is worthy of your praise. Keep praying, y’all. He will meet you there. He did David and He did our Lord. He’ll do it for you.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
