Psalm 22:1-2 – 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. (ESV)

As someone who generally likes to be in control, I have sometimes found it hard to let go and trust God to handle it. This is especially so when there seems to be no quick, easy, or beneficial solution to a situation, only a long-term slog, intimidating and undesirable.

I am tempted to ask of God, "Where were/are you? Why cannot we have the victory for once, or deliverance, or the easy way out? How could you allow this? Lord, hear my prayer!"

I have railed against God, sometimes in despair, and sometimes in anger and frustration.

My probing of God has covered a multitude of sins and situations, whether it was to do with sickness (mine or someone else's), work or family, or national or church circumstances. I begin to see that God has accepted my contention, anger, fear, agony, or grief because He values my interaction, as the proverbial dog with a bone.

Yes, it can be so when I am sheepish because I have messed up, or else when I want Him to help me out or to deliver me. There will always be justice in the end, but also grace now. Sometimes, this comes through human agency, sometimes by miracle, sometimes by nothing apparent on the earth here and now. He helps us through the hurt.

God sees things differently from us, from over a longer time period than that of the heat of the moment. He permeates all time. Jesus came to set the captives free, to cause the blind to see, and to bring hope and favour. Sometimes, that may hurt or cause us disagreement. Sometimes, that freedom or growth involves the death of a loved one. It can be for the nation, the church, or an individual. Although God has sometimes seemed at a distance — unknowable, missing in action — that is a lie of the evil one. Jesus always hears, and to be in His hearing is to be in a safe place, if we allow ourselves to be open to His love, His compassion, and His righteous anger for us.

So today, if you are feeling aggrieved with God, fed up with waiting for an answer that seems forever in coming, in despair, struggling to trust God that it will ever be resolved, do not give up hope, because, despite a fallen world and its form, God hears. That is life. God understands. God envelopes us with His love.

In His presence is a safe place, in sorrow, anger, praise, or joy. So, with me, take some time out today and rest in His presence. Lay down the burden for a moment, and know that He has been there, too. Read again today's verses, which Jesus spoke on the cross where He died for us.

Prayer: Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. We lay down our burden before Your throne that we may know Your divine healing and peace in our lives. Please pick us up today and restore in us a right relationship with Immanuel: God with us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
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