When Faith Wavers but God Remains
Times of trouble may bring different responses. When you are hit with a big problem, a serious illness, or relationship challenge, it may stir feelings of hopelessness and despair. Or it might cause you to get very analytical as you try to figure out and solve the problem.
In times of trouble you may respond to God differently as well. In Psalm 9 and 10 we see a very different tone from David as he processes oppression and injustice.
In Psalm 9 the psalmist is confident and joyful as he offers thanksgiving to God and recounts all of the deeds of the Lord in his past challenges. He describes how God brought judgement on his enemies and maintained the psalmist throughout his battle. David is confident that the Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed.
But in chapter 10 the tone is dramatically shifted to questions and doubts: “Why, Oh Lord, do you stand far away?” What happened to the certainty David had just a chapter earlier? Life happened.
It is important to consider that while we may be followers of Christ, that doesn’t make us immune from having good days and bad days. There may be dozens of reasons for why our attitudes and emotions shift. We may have not gotten enough sleep. We may have something physically going on that hasn’t registered.
As you read Psalm 9 and 10, you may notice that in Psalm 9, David is focused on God and the many things he has done. But in Psalm 10, David is focused on and recalls the wicked and their arrogance. What we focus on is central to how we feel.
In both psalms David gets to the right response, understanding the God is always with us and he is always for and with those who are oppressed. As David processes his thoughts and offers his prayer to God, God reveals truth to David. We won’t arrive at the right response to God without being open and transparent to God in prayer.
Today when you pray, don’t hold back or evaluate your thoughts and feelings, simply tell them to your loving Father in heaven. He will hear you and he will respond. And don’t forget to read his word so that his truth can both minister to and correct any errors in your thinking. God is always present and his word is always active. That combination will never fail us in our times of need!
Father, thank you for accepting us as we are. Thank you for sending Jesus to show us how we can be forgiven and live freely in your presence. Holy Spirit, reveal to us the truth we need today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 9:1-16, 10:1-18 ESV
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