Title: God Who Hides His Face / Psalm 77
“Will the Lord forsake him forever, or will he show no more favor?” - Psalm 77:7
Have you ever felt that your prayers are not reaching God? Then it's not just you.
David Brainerd faithfully did missionary work to the Indians of North America during the British colonial period. He recorded his spiritual ups and downs in his diary. I once wrote this: “I sleep on a pile of straw. The work is hard and very difficult. With no prospect of success, there is no place for comfort. But all these difficulties come with more intolerable sorrow because God is hiding his face from me.”
What will you do when it seems that God will not listen and “show no favor” (Psalm 77:9)?
▶Know that you are not alone in experiencing such an experience and that you are not abandoned by the saved children of God.
▶Find a member with whom you can open your heart and ask for prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
▶Meditate on the truth of the Bible and what God has done for you until now (Psalm 77:11-12).
▶Even if God seems to be silent, keep praying to your great God in faith (Luke 18:1).
Remember. Our God is “a God who works miracles”! (Psalm 77:14).
If you truly repent with your heart and tell them all openly, the Lord will bless you and pour out new grace for you - Hymn 482
When you pray, don't stop;
[1] [A psalm of Asaph, a song sung by the law of Jeduthun by decree] I will cry out to God with my voice; if I cry out to God with my voice, he will listen to me.
[2] In the day of my trouble I sought you; by night I lifted up my hand and did not reap; my soul refused to be comforted.
[3] My heart is broken because I am troubled and grieved because of God (Selah).
[4] You have kept me from closing my eyes; I am in pain and cannot speak.
[5] I have remembered the old days, the years before;
[6] I remember the song I sang at night, and meditate on it in my heart;
[7] Will the Lord forsake him forever, and show him no more favor?
[8] Has his mercy run out, or has he permanently renounced his promise?
[9] Have you forgotten your mercy, or has your wrath blocked your mercy? (Selah)
[10] And I said, This is my weakness; the sun of the right hand of the Most High
[11] In remembrance of the ancient wonders of the LORD, I will tell of his works.
[12] And I will meditate on all your works, and consider your works.
[13] O God, your ways are very holy. Who is a god as great as God?
[14] You are a God of wonders; you know your power among the nations.
[15] By your arm you have redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph (Selah).