Day 160: Psalms 21, 22, 23 and 24

He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. (Psalm 22:24)

This lament of David betrays a time when his suffering was all but unbearable. He is confused why God does not seem to be present, let alone come to his rescue. We know that Jesus identified with this psalm as it provided a voice to his cry on the cross: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? – which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)

Loneliness is the essence of suffering. When we are hurting to the depths of our soul, we cannot help but feel like we are walking that path alone. And yet, even when it appears God is deaf and blind, we can draw strength from the knowledge that he hears and he sees.

God is not unaware of or unmoved by your suffering; it pierces his heart.

Have you experienced times in your life when you thought God had abandoned you, only to find out later he was there all the time?