Hennie Symington

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive/to my cry for mercy. Psalm 130:1-2

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” Psalm 116:3-4

We have all stood before the Lord, in the no man's land of our faith, knowing and feeling abandoned by both God and man. At times like these, it feels as if there is a deep chasm between you and the comforting presence of a God who sees, a God who hears, and a God who answers.

This is however, not the best time to make wild statements about the existence of God, or a God who, you think, couldn’t care less or a God who has forsaken you.

Perhaps this is a good time to visit the Gallery of the Hopeless of those who believed that God had abandoned them or even that God is not there. Remember Elijah under the bush; Job scratching his sores on the dump heap, David fleeing for his life and hiding out in cave, and ultimately Jesus on the cross calling out “My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Strangely, these badlands encountered on our journey of faith, are often the tilling soil for a greater depth in our relationship with God. In times like these, trust and believe that you will hear the voice of God in your ear in his own time, and that you will experience the renewal of faith and a resurrection to new life as you walk your walk with your God, through good times and bad.

Prayer: Lord, when it’s winter in my life, you send me messages of love, and assurance which remind me of your presence. Amen