Is it possible for one who has experienced the love and saving mercy of God through Jesus Christ to also experience such trouble and darkness that they are tempted to think that the Lord has forgotten them, that their prayers are not heard? Is it possible that such a one could become convinced that their prayers will not be answered? If you have not experienced this yourself, it is likely that you know someone who has. It is not uncommon for even the most godly Christian to experience periods doubt and trial. The Psalmist, Asaph, struggled with this kind of trial. He saw injustice in the world and the power of the ungodly. He wondered about how near God was and in response he wrote, "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped." (Psalm 73:2) But upon reflection about the nature of God and His faithfulness, Asaph concluded in the final verse of the Psalm, "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works." In Jeremiah 29, the prophet encourages God's people to not despair even though they found themselves in the midst of trial. God tells them, "…Ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search …with all your heart." – Pastor SchlegelIs it possible for one who has experienced the love and saving mercy of God through Jesus Christ to also experience such trouble and darkness that they are tempted to think that the Lord has forgotten them, that their prayers are not heard? Is it possible that such a one could become convinced that their prayers will not be answered? If you have not experienced this yourself, it is likely that you know someone who has. It is not uncommon |
