Tags
desolation, despair, doctors, giving thanks, ligaments, National Gallery of Canada, pain, questions, Suffering, the LORD, walk of faith
Reading: Psalm 77
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.
(Verses 1-9)
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
“Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” (NIV).
Reflection|
Sometimes in our walk of faith, we go through dark days. Answers to our prayers do not come quickly. We are left wondering if God even hears or cares. The opening verses of Psalm 77 reflect the psalmist’s mood of desolation, which approaches despair. The psalmist has more questions than the Lord has answers. At least that’s how it appears. “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
The National Art Gallery of Canada — photo by David Kitz
Last Friday morning, I was on a pleasant spring walk through a quiet residential neighborhood with my sister. Suddenly without warning, I was struck by a car backing out of a driveway. In an instant, pleasure was replaced by searing pain. My right knee was skinned and bleeding. Ligaments in my left ankle were torn. Now I hobble about on crutches. Surgery may be needed.
Like the psalmist, my week since the accident has been filled with questions. Questions by police officers. Questions by family members and friends. Questions by insurance claim specialists. Questions by doctors. And in my quiet moments, I have had a few questions for the Lord, “Why did you allow this to happen? What should my response be? How long will this pain last? When will I be able to walk normally again? Did I do something wrong to bring on this pain?”
Response: LORD God, I don’t have the answers. You do. Your word tells me to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Help me to do just that in these circumstances. You are always worthy of praise even when I don’t understand. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you have questions for God when life seems to go off the rails?
Note: This post was written over a year ago. I have fully recovered from the accident though the process was slow and painful. In it all God was with me.
I love the Psalms 
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
I think that sometimes we never find the answers to what happens to us in this life, but I’ve learned that God has a purpose for every thing. Perhaps it was time for you to slow down for a while. Glad you’ve made a complete recovery. Do you recall anything that changed for you because of your accident?
The accident settlement through the insurance company was a blessing. I’m not sure it was worth the pain, but it has helped. I think there is a comfort in knowing that God is with us in all these things. There is peace in that.
Indeed He is. He’s always using every situation to strengthen and preserve us for the everlasting Kingdom. We may never know the reason, but it’s not important.
I find that anything God allows in my life turns for my good, no matter how bad it seems. Almost two years ago now, I got my cancer diagnosis. My reaction was to say if God allowed it, then He has a purpose for it, and it will be for my good. It certainly has been, as I have come full force into this community, been much more consistent in my prayer and devotional life, and learned so much from is word.
God is always good! Be blessed
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Amen!
Major questions here. Especially will you O Lord, reject forever. But I count on His grace and goodness. Never dissapoints! Amen.
You are so right. His grace is sufficient!
Oh, dear… I’m so sorry to hear of your accident. I do hope that surgery won’t be necessary. But if it is necessary, let us know the date beforehand so we can pray.