Have you ever felt all alone? I mean really alone--like God wasn't even there?
You knew you were God's child. You knew you had a solid faith in Him. You knew you were living right before Him. Yet, somehow it seemed that He had forsaken you?
The psalmist who penned Psalm 44 felt exactly that way. He celebrated the things that God had done (vv1-3). He declared his complete allegiance to the Lord (vv4-7). He gave praise the the Lord (v8). But even with all of this, he felt rejected and crushed by God (vv9,19) and he felt that God was hiding from him (v24).
Sound familiar?
We cannot read this Psalm without also reading Romans 8:35-39, the passage where Paul quotes from Psalm 44. After giving a lengthy list of things that seemingly could separate us from God, Paul declares that we are more than super-conquerors through Christ. There is nothing--absolutely nothing--that can disconnect us from God's love.
"That's great," you say, "but it doesn't change how I feel right now." True.
So what can we do in those times when for no fault of our own we feel isolated from God?
Start by crying out to God, like the psalmist did in verse 26: "Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love." Go back to what you know about God--His promises, His love, His past workings in your life. Use the time to evaluate your walk with the Lord and intensify your focus on Him. Increase your prayer, worship and Bible reading times. Memorize scripture. Meditate on Christian songs.
Draw near to Him and He promises to draw near to you.
This "desert" time in your life actually may be a season that God wants to use to take your relationship with Him to a new level. Embrace it!
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.
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