Why standest thou afar off, O Lord?” (Psalms 10:1.)
There are many things on my path unknown
So what if this journey seems hard to me
I don’t think that I travel the way alone
For the steps of Jesus now are all I see
We are promised that “God is a very present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46:1) But in my experience,Jesus permits trouble to pursue me, almost as if He were uncaring and indifferent to our problems, and the overwhelming pressure they present along our paths. Its almost like He is in the crucible with us, yet permitting the fiery trials, until I can recognize that I have no way to solve it, and that I finally say:
“OK Lord, I need You to help me with this.”
At the end of my rope, I then take the heavenly Lifeline of prayer from the loving Hands of Him who created me, and is leading me home. Jesus wants us to discover the “treasures of darkness,” the unmeasurable benefits of trials and sorrows, and pain:
I will give you treasures hidden in dark and secret places. Then you will know that I, the LORD God of Israel, have called you by name. (Isa 45:3, CEV)
I am now sure that He who permits the terrible suffering I am embroiled in is right here with me, right her in the middle of it. Just like He was with Daniels friends in the fiery furnace. (Dan 3:21,24)
Sometimes I don’t really notice His steps, His presence, until the trial is almost over, but I am choosing to step out today in faith and dare to believe that Jesus never leaves the fiery furnace as long as I am in it. (Heb 13:5) The fiery troubles may be so severe that my eyes are somehow blinded to the eternal verity of Jesus being that “present help in trouble.” Of Jesus being right here with me now.
It is interesting to note the situation when Daniel’s three friends were cast into that furnace. Because the furnace was heated to seven times its usual temperature, there was no hope of any kind with anybody that these three would be able to survive such a fiery trial. The King who sentenced them to the flames had this to say about it:
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (Dan 3:24,25, ESV)
It is dark sometimes, in the midst of the fiery trials, too dark to see Jesus or anything or anyone that will help. But I praise God now that there is light in every cloud. The darkness holds treasures beyond my sight that I can never experience unless I go into the darkness and look for it.Not because of any good feelings, but strictly by faith. I know that Jesus is here. Jesus is deeply touched. His love and fidelity to me are unscathed, no matter what is going on. No, I do not physically see Jesus, as did those who beheld Him on the cross. But I talk to Jesus anyway, and these are the times when I get the clearest answers, the most amazing power, to still be a son of God.
“To them that received Him gave He power to be the sons and daughters of God.” (John 1:12).
It is always best to follow the example of Jesus, on the cross. The Bible says that in those final moments, it was very dark. (Mat 27:45). And Jesus, like me, could not see that God was there, could not see the hidden treasure in His darkness, that The Holy Spirit would soon resurrect Him after He died.There was simply no light to The Man Christ Jesus during that “ninth hour” when He cried out:
Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? (Mat 27:50)
At this moment in time Jesus, like the Psalmist in Psalms 10:1 was thinking that The Father was “standing afar off.” Jesus saw no hope, and could not detect God’s presence, the darkness was so overwhelming, yet Jesus chose to talk to God anyways; and he simply asked “why have you forsaken me?” And yet, in this eternal example to all of us today, right after Jesus said that, He also gave His heart and life over to God anyways:
“Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last.” (Luke 24:46, Message)
Jesus’ final words are from Psalms 31:5, where this is the prayer of trust from a righteous sufferer. Jesus exercised that faith here. His experience is to be ours.
If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase and deepen. But if we come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in creation, and who governs everything by His will and word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts. Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness. {SC 96.3}
When we speak to God in prayer, even though the prayer might seem desperate or desolate, we will assuredly realize His actual presence. (Heb 13:5) His presence, as with Jesus while on the cross may now be veiled, yet on the cross, the veil of the temple then was torn in two. It is during heart-felt open prayer to God in the direst circumstances where we experience the answering Voice which shows that Jesus is with us in the shadows, in the clouds, and in the fiery trials of this life.Truly, Jesus is just as close to us when we journey through the dark tunnel, as He seems to be under open sunny skies.
Although there may be a tainted, corrupted atmosphere around us, we need not breathe its miasma, but may live in the pure air of heaven. We may close every door to impure imaginings and unholy thoughts by lifting the soul into the presence of God through sincere prayer. Those whose hearts are open to receive the support and blessing of God will walk in a holier atmosphere than that of earth and will have constant communion with heaven. {SC 99.2}
The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation. {SC 94.2}
There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him. He has promised, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” Isaiah 44:3. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, who long after God, may be sure that they will be filled. The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received. Our great need is itself an argument and pleads most eloquently in our behalf. But the Lord is to be sought unto to do these things for us. He says, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” And “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Matthew 7:7; Romans 8:32. {SC 95.1,2}
Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving. We must pray always if we would grow in faith and experience. We are to be “instant in prayer,” to “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2. Peter exhorts believers to be “sober, and watch unto prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7.
Paul directs, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6. “But ye, beloved,” says Jude, “praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God.” Jude 20, 21. Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God. {SC 97.2}
Pray in your closet, and as you go about your daily labor let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. These silent prayers rise like precious incense before the throne of grace. Satan cannot overcome him whose heart is thus stayed upon God. {SC 98.3}
There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when he made his request before King Artaxerxes. A closet of communion may be found wherever we are. We should have the door of the heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul. {SC 99.1}
Are tears coming down in the dark? Is the shadow too heavy to bear? Does God seem like he is standing afar off today?
Arise and go to your Father. He will meet you a great way off. If you take even one step toward Him in repentance, He will hasten to enfold you in His arms of infinite love. His ear is open to the cry of the contrite soul. The very first reaching out of the heart after God is known to Him. Never a prayer is offered, however faltering, never a tear is shed, however secret, never a sincere desire after God is cherished, however feeble, but the Spirit of God goes forth to meet it. Even before the prayer is uttered or the yearning of the heart made known, grace from Christ goes forth to meet the grace that is working upon the human soul. {COL 206.1}