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December 18, 2011

“Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” — Psalm 10:1

Doesn’t it sometimes feel like God is far away? When you are in the midst of a difficult time — whether you’re struggling to find a job, or a loved one is losing a battle against cancer, or your child is involved in ungodly activities — it often feels like God is nowhere to be found.

“Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” At various points in his life, David probably had good reason to question where God was and what He was doing. Where was God when David was running for his life from the jealous King Saul? Where was God when David’s own son led an uprising and attempted to take over his father’s kingdom? Where was God when David was surrounded by arrogant men who had no room in their hearts for God?

It’s at these low points in our lives when God does seem to be far away, hiding from us. And it’s at times like that when we are tempted to let those doubts come between us and God. We stop praying; we shut ourselves off from the very One who can carry us through these difficulties. We look at our circumstances and conclude that God simply does not care.

But notice what David does in this psalm. Despite his doubts, David continues praying and asking God to come quickly to his aid. David doesn’t assume that because of his current situation that God does not care or is unwilling to help him. Rather, David affirms what he knows about God from his past experiences — “But you, O God, do see trouble and grief” (v.14). David knew that he was not alone, that God not only knew what was happening, but was also with David in his troubles.

The same is true for us. It is the times when we are most alone, when we are feeling abandoned and oppressed, that we most need to pray to God. Tell Him your troubles. Share with Him your doubts. Cry out for His help. But know, as King David did, that “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry” (v.17).

Where is God in our troubles? Right there with us.

With prayers for shalom, peace,


Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President

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