GOD IS NOT FAR AWAY
El Señor No Está Lejos
By
Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Have you ever wondered if God was aware of your problems and listening to your prayers? [Photographer: Randy Rodriguez. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com.]
Have you ever felt like God was not listening to your prayers? You are not the only one! Listen to what David, shepherd-turned-king, wrote:
"1) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2) My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest." (Psalm 22:1-2, NIV)
"Are you really listening, God?" [Photographer: Gabriel Miguel Bero. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com.]
Sound familiar? These words appear as the opening to Psalm 22, just one chapter before the much loved Psalm 23. It seems incredible that David, the writer of many psalms, leapt from the depths of despair in Psalm 22 to the height of trust and confidence in the Lord in the very next chapter. And yet, that leap traces a similar track to my own spiritual path — and, perhaps, for yours as well. One day, I am down, despairing of the Lord's presence in my life, and the next, I'm confident and trusting in the Lord's care of me.
Most of us are like that. We're down one day and up the next. But it is interesting to note that even in the despondency of Psalm 22, David did not lose hope that the Lord was near because he wrote in Psalm 22:19, "But you, O Lord, do not be far away! You are my strength; come quickly to help me." (NIV) His hope was such that he wrote a few verses later, in verse 22, "I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you." (NIV) That means that David was aware that others around him needed encouragement, too. Like David, you and I need to recognize that others around us may be going through similar ups and downs. We not alone in our emotions.
In the next two verses (vv. 23-24), David goes on to write, "23) You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Honor him, all you descendants of Israel! 24) For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him, but has listened to his cry for help." The "afflicted one" of whom David writes is himself rather than someone else. That is why he could write with such knowledge and assurance.
Since the Lord was patient with David's ups and downs, I have confidence that He is equally patient with mine. I hope that you have that same confidence, too. For that, we can give Him thanks in a prayer such as this one, "Thank You, Lord, for Your patience with me through the turbulence of my emotions. I pray this In the mighty name of Jesus, amen."
BIBLE VERSES FOR THIS POSTING
Psalm 22:1-2 — 1) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2) My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. (NIV)
Salmos 22:1-2 — Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has desamparado? ¿Por qué estás tan lejos de mi salvación, y de las palabras de mi clamor? (Reina-Valera 1960)
Psalm 22:19 — But you, O Lord, do not be far away! You are my strength; come quickly to help me. (NIV)
Salmos 22:19 — Mas tú, Jehová, no te alejes; Fortalez mía, apresúrate a socorrerme. (Reina-Valera 1960)
Psalm 22: 22-24 — I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. 23) You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Honor him, all you descendants of Israel! 24) For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him, but has listened to his cry for help. (NIV)
Salmos 22:22-24 — 22) Anunciaré tu nombre a mis hermanos; En medio de la congregación te alabaré. 23) Los que teméis a Jehová, alabadle; Glorificadle, descendencia toda de Jacob, Y temedle vosotros, descendencia toda de Israel. 24) Porque no menospreció ni abominó la aflicción del afligido, Ni de él escondió su rostro; Sino que cuando clamó a él, le oyó. (Reina-Valera 1960)
"Thank You, Lord, for Your patience with me through the ups and downs of my emotions. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen." [Photographer: Conger Design. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com.]
