Running Dry
Often times we find ourselves to be climbing the sand dunes of the Arabian desert instead of a normal trial. During these dry and tying times it’s important to remember that God knows exactly where you are and exactly what your facing.
Going through a dry period is completely normal. Experiencing spiritual dryness doesn’t automatically mean you have lost your faith or that God has abandoned you. The Psalmist in Psalm 42 shows us exactly what to do. Psalm 42 is essentially a picture of deep spiritual and emotional distress. The psalmist is not simply having a bad day—he feels distant from God, overwhelmed by sorrow, and surrounded by circumstances that make him question whether God is still with him. The psalmist doesn't pretend everything is fine. He brings his depression, loneliness, confusion, and longing directly to God. His faith isn't the absence of emotional struggle; rather, he keeps turning toward God in the middle of the struggle.
Psalm 42 “[To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.]] As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
When you don't feel spiritually hungry, don't wait for the feeling before opening your Bible. We don't read Scripture only when we feel close to God; sometimes we read because we are longing to feel close to Him again.
Our emotions change. God's character doesn't.
Hebrews 13:5 reminds us of His promise: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Feeling distant from God isn't necessarily the same thing as being distant from God.
