How long? Too long!
Anytime it seems that God has forgotten me is just too long.
Of course, I should know better- that there is not a moment in time when this Eternal God forgets me. It just feels that way when my Maker and Master allows me to consider what life would be if indeed, I were abandoned.
So, do I ask, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (verse 1)
I may not add the “forever” bit. I couldn’t dare to survive while thinking that the perceived absence could be but for a brief while. However, for honesty’s sake I must admit that I feel ignored even for something natural and probably completely insignificant like threading my machine needle. That was last Saturday. Why did the Lord not help me get the thread through the eye?
Foolish me. I thanked God for the things I can still do at age 70 (nearly 71) and I repented. Because I’m sure that my little trouble was nothing compared to what the writer was experiencing when he referred to the enduring pain in his soul and sorrow in his heart. I feel a bit rotten on the inside for getting upset at such a small sign of my aging vision. Some people have so many worse things to cope with.
Notwithstanding, I can identify with his feeling “O Lord my God” Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death.” (verse 3)
Have you ever felt depressed? Try not to go there. Everything seems worse than it really is. There are no molehills. Only mountains. Mountains of doubt, fear, disbelief, and all that would make the enemy rejoice, “I have prevailed” (Verse 4).
As I reflect, I recall my mother telling me about a time when they travelled at night from La Plaine on the eastern coast of Dominica to Roseau on the western coast. As the party travelled there was a “jumbie” waving to them and telling them in Kweyol, “Come, come so I can get you!” Of course, the group of mainly adults with whom she was allowed to travel (being a very intelligent girl) continued on its way. As they approached the ‘jumbie leaf’ my mother got to see how beautifully the reflective underside of the leaf gleamed in the pale moonlight!
Things are not always what they seem to be. Even good things look bad. And when God lets you think that the divine face is hidden from you, look for God’s backside. It means that the Lord has passed where you now are and made ready a way for you to go through.