How can we seek God when He seems "hidden" during "times of trouble"? Setting the Scene: David’s Honest Cry Psalm 13:1-2: “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?” David’s questions mirror ours in hardship. Yet the psalm ends in praise (vv. 5-6), proving that apparent silence can be an invitation to deeper seeking. TRuth 1: God’s Silence Is Not His Absence • He promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). • Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). • Feeling forsaken is a matter of perception, not reality; His covenant faithfulness stands whether sensed or not. TRuth 2: Turn Emotion into Pursuit • David voices raw emotion yet addresses God directly—pain becomes prayer. • Lament does not contradict faith; it exercises it (Psalm 62:8). • Honest questions keep the conversation open, resisting the enemy’s whisper that God has quit listening. TRuth 3: Practical Ways to Seek God When He Seems Hidden 1. Re-commit to Scripture ‑ Read aloud; faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). ‑ Track promises that speak to present need (e.g., Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 46:1). 2. Saturate Life with Praise ‑ Sing even if feelings lag (Acts 16:25). ‑ Praise reframes focus from trouble to God’s character (Psalm 22:3). 3. Fast and Set Apart Time ‑ Fasting sharpens spiritual sensitivity (Matthew 6:17-18). ‑ Replace skipped meals with reading, meditating, and listening. 4. Seek Godly Fellowship ‑ “Two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). ‑ Share burdens; invite mature believers to intercede (James 5:16). 5. Serve Someone in Need ‑ Serving aligns the heart with God’s compassion (Isaiah 58:10-11). ‑ Obedience opens eyes to His active presence. TRuth 4: Remember Past Faithfulness • David recalls victories over lion, bear, and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37). • Build a “memory shelf”: journal answered prayers, preserved letters, or milestone tokens. • Re-telling stories of deliverance fuels present confidence (Deuteronomy 6:20-24). Truth 5: Anchor in Unshakable Promises • Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” • Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.” • Romans 8:38-39: Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ. Hold these truths out loud; let spoken Word override fleeting feelings. Conclusion: From Question to Confidence David’s psalm moves from “How long?” to “I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me” (Psalm 13:6). The shift happens as he chooses to: • Acknowledge pain honestly, • Actively seek God through Word, worship, fasting, fellowship, and service, • Recall prior mercies, and • Rest in covenant promises. Do the same, and the God who seems hidden will again be seen as the ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). |
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