God, Why Have You Forsaken Us?
A desperate hope burned within my soul last year as I surveyed the rubble left in China by an enormous earthquake. Halfway around the world, and a year later, what can I do to relieve their suffering, to ease the pain of losing a child or parent because of natural disasters?
Sitting in my office chair, I began to weep uncontrollably, so much so that I had to shut my door. I felt vulnerable and didn’t want my unaware co-workers to see me in such a state. This sudden deluge of tears, accompanied with deep-rooted despair consumed me. All I could do was pray to God.
To Whom Do We Pray?
Let’s establish one thing right off the bat. God is not a larger version of man living in the clouds who is bothered by us. He doesn’t delight in ruining our lives and no, he doesn’t thrash down lighting bolts just to watch us run for cover.
The very nature of God is kind, loving, and just. His deepest desire is for communion with us, His image in flesh form.
However, there is a temptation to lash out at God for what seems to be His inaction to our plight. Our internal frustration with circumstances can overwhelm our understanding and cloud the truth – that the Lord is and always will be there for us.
Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote, “God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?” ( , The Message)
Desperate Intercession
Looking back on that mid-mourning experience, I recall my personal desire. Lately, I’ve asked God to reveal more of His heart to me. My prayer was that I would see situations as He does, that I would see people the way He sees them.
Well, that just opened the flood gates. As I allowed the Holy Spirit to minister to me, I felt an overwhelming sadness. It wasn’t a hopeless feeling, but one of compassion and empathy with those who suffer. My soul was carrying their burden through my intercession, just as it states in .
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)
I could see their pleading faces. I felt the same tears Christ must feel running down His face as He witnessed the suffering people endure everyday. I could hear the cries beneath the earthquake rubble. And I think by allowing the spirit to move in me in this way, I was better able to pray for those in desperate need of God’s saving grace.
As I interceded for these dear ones overseas, familiar names and faces also came to mind. By this point, I was spiritually exhausted, but I pressed on praying for God’s healing and restoration to be evident in the lives of my friends and family.
No matter what’s going on in our lives we can rest in the fact that the Lord has our chaos under control. He’s there with arms wide open to us. He has peace for our restless days and joy for times of sadness. He is all we need.
Praise the Lord. Praise God our Savior! For each day He carries us in his arms. (New Living Translation)
God will never forsake us. Cling to this truth. Remember it as you brace yourself during life’s storms and as you intercede for those who are suffering on the other side of the Earth.
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