O God, why do you cast us off forever?
Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?

We do not see our signs;
there is no longer any prophet,
and there is none among us who knows how long.

Psalm 74: 1, 9

When was the last time you asked “where are you, God?” Sometimes we shy away from admitting we’ve asked that question, but we are in good company because many in Scripture have voiced those same sentiments during moments of trial. Remember Jesus’ words on the cross?

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Matthew 27:46

We’ve experienced the death of someone close to us or maybe we are estranged from a once close friend or relative. Maybe you lost a job or felt disconnected in church and felt like you were in a spiritual desert. Ask me how I know.

In the verses above, the psalmist laments that God was seemingly silent in a time of crisis – no signs, no prophets and the silence may go on forever!

We may feel like the pain will continue forever, but, looking back over the decades, I remain convinced that God is faithful even when the valley is dry.