Psalm 35:22-23

Psalm 35:22-23

Do not be silent

These two verses fit together because they show the opposite sides of the same problem. David is no different to the rest of us, he believes in a God who sees all things, knows all things and understands all things. There are no surprises so far as God is concerned, He is aware of events before they even unfold. So, like David, we ask ourselves, “Why does He not intervene? Why does He not speak out and make His way clear? Why does He not heal the injustices and expose the deceivers? Why is the Lord so far away when we need Him?” There are many who argue in this manner and to be fair, most of us would love instant answers, immediate intervention and an ongoing relationship with a God who acts every time we ask Him to!

Some people take the view that David espouses in verse 23, that maybe God is asleep! Now, we know that is not true because “He neither slumbers nor sleeps.” Psalm 121:3-4. David also knows that is not true but sometimes it just feels that way! We may ponder to ourselves, “Maybe a little jolt will arouse the Lord from his dozing and we might get some action. Come on Lord, come and help me. Come to my aid. Stand up for me. Make Yourself known. Show my enemies what You are all about. All my problems would soon be over.”  I must say I squirm a little bit when people talk to God or about God in this way, but then I read Psalms like this and realise it is the honest outpouring of someone who is in a very dark, lonely place. 

So, on the one hand, in verse 22, we have a God who hears but does nothing. Conversely, in verse 23, we have a God who sleeps and needs to be aroused. Either way His inactivity can drive us mad but deep down we know that He has a plan! I know that it is frustrating but the journey of faith must bring us to the place when we just have to trust the Lord when things don’t work out the way we hoped or when we hoped. Simply trust ….. and wait! 

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