How Long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

Training for Today: Run 2 Miles

Devotion: How Long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

Were you one of those kids who called out, “Are we there yet?” from the backseat? Do you have one of those kids who call out, “Are we there yet?” from the backseat? This question is asked out of impatience, frustration, and anxiousness. I know I’ve asked this question before, and I can almost recreate the physical feeling of being trapped in the car, my legs screaming out for the ability to stretch and run around.


For our theme this week, we’ll be focusing on the earliest stage of grief – the shock, denial, anger, and questioning that occur in one’s immediate response to the loss. We’ll cry along with the psalmist, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1).

When people are first faced with loss and grief, these questions come to the forefront of the brain. How long will I feel like this? How long will I feel forsaken by God? Why does God feel so far away? In the earliest moments of grief, it is the most difficult to see God’s hand at work and understand His purpose.

Even Christ experienced the feeling of being forsaken by God. On the cross, our Savior cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” But, even during Christ’s moment of questioning, God’s hand was at work and His purpose was accomplished. Christ was forsaken so that our sins would be forgiven. Christ was rejected so that we would be redeemed.

In our moments of asking God, “Are we there yet?”, let us remember that God’s hand is at work and His purpose is being accomplished in us. Thy will be done.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for accomplishing your great purpose in my life. Fill me with a trusting spirit when I am tempted to doubt. Lead me, Lord; I will follow you. Amen.