Seek His Face
Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in. (Psalm 27:7-10)
Prayer is such an important part of the Christian life. We are so blessed because, through Jesus, we are able to have a relationship with the Father. When we spend time with Him, we are able to cultivate that relationship. No relationship flourishes without communication. It is just as important to communicate your wins, losses, and trials with God, just as you would a friend.
However, prayer can also be hard. It’s easy to get caught up in our own turmoil and forget to turn to God first. We can turn to other people or even the internet to find a solution when we don’t know what to do. I know I’ve found myself asking loved ones for advice on something I’m having trouble with, while forgetting to turn to the One in control of it all.
You may ask now or at another point in your life, “How do I know God’s listening to me?” or “Is He really listening if I keep praying and I see no change?” These are valid questions. I’ve struggled with them too. But, my dear friend, I want to encourage you today by affirming that God’s there, He cares, and He’s listening, no matter what you may feel right now.
Psalm 27 is a passage of Scripture in particular that was a comfort to me in a time during which I felt like God wasn’t really listening. I struggled with the conflicting feelings of my heart and the knowledge in my head. My head was telling me, “God is good, and He is always with you. You know that!” but my heart was saying, “I am all alone. Is there anyone who’s really listening to me?” It was a hard place to be. So many times I felt like I was praying with no response, just silence. However, despite the silence I thought surrounded me, I found comfort in the Word of the Lord, and He showed up in my time of pain and struggle. And, friend, hopefully, if you are where I was, this passage may comfort you too.
This section from Psalm 27 in particular opens with David crying out to the Lord to hear him and says that David is seeking the Lord. He begs God not to turn away from him, because David knows when all else is lost, when even his parents turn away, the Lord is there to hold him close.
Friend, I want to tell you today that the Lord has not turned His face from you. It may feel like it, but the Lord does not abandon you in times of trouble. You may feel all alone in this world amidst seemingly consistent trials; but God has not left you to fend for yourself. When we feel like God isn’t listening, we must constantly remind ourselves of God’s truth: He is listening.
David ends the Psalm by saying, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” That is my charge to you. Take heart in the Lord. Remain steadfast in the belief that you will see God’s goodness, and wait for Him with strength and courage. He has not forsaken you. He is listening, and He is faithful.
