Disabandoned
There may be times when we feel God is not listening.
For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. - Isaiah 54:7-10
Isaiah tells us God knows we feel abandoned at times, but he reminds us that God is not letting go. He has promised to be with us forever.
Still we may feel that there are times when he is not as close as we would like. At times like that we need to remember this promise to Noah.
God's love for us is greater than His anger with us. No matter what we do, He will be true to us. Can we say the same for us?
Is there anyone we would forgive over and over again without end?
What God does for us, we have trouble doing for ourselves and for others. He is the source of our strength in times of despair and uncertainty.
When we cry out to the Lord, feeling alone, we need to pause and look for signs that God is listening. He may send someone to us, someone we do not expect, to comfort us or just listen to us and be there for us.
When times are most difficult we may not remember God's promise and we may lose hope. I believe it is then that the Holy Spirit that dwells within us reaches out to the same Spirit in others and guides them to come to our aid.
We may not recognize them as an answer to our prayers, but that may be exactly what they are.
I came upon these four psalms that can be of help in times of despair. Each begins with a letter in the word HELP.
H – Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. - Psalm 86:1
E – Establish my steps in your word. - Psalm 119:133
L – Let your compassion quickly meet our needs because we are on the brink of despair.- Psalm 79:8
P – Protect me God because I take refuge in You. I say to the Lord, You are my Lord, apart from You I have nothing good. - Psalm 16:1
So when you are feeling abandoned, seek God's help and He will find a way to let you know He is there for you.
More to come...