Feeling Forgotten?

The psalmist could not understand why his people could not find solutions for their challenges. From his perspective, they had not abandoned their faith in God. As far as he could tell, they trusted Him and tried to obey His Word.

He would understand these results if they had forgotten God or served idols, but, in his mind, they had “not been false to [His] covenant” (v. 17). They had not departed from His ways and realized that God knew everything about them, even “the secrets of the heart” (v. 21).

Yet problems continued and nothing seemed to make a difference. They felt like God had forgotten them.

Even though puzzled, the psalmist refused to compromise or give up. Instead, he sought God with renewed urgency: “Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love” (v. 26).

Many psalms deal with this theme. People experience problems. They act in ways that would seem to please God. Yet He doesn’t seem to answer their prayers.

The message? All of us face various types of challenges. But the Bible assures us that the presence of problems does not mean that God has forgotten or abandoned us. Instead, we are to seek Him with renewed intensity. Continue obeying His Word. Confirm our trust in Him. Be confident that ultimately He will rescue us and reward us if we stay faithful.