Finding Faith in God's Perfect Timing
Scripture: Psalm 22My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me and from the words of my roaring?
2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, do you hear; and in the night season, and am not silent.
3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee and were not confounded.
6 But I am a worm, no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws, and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
18 They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.
19 But be not far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my darling, from the dog's power.
21 Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: I will praise thee in the midst of the congregation.
23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live forever.
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28 For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations.
29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30 A seed shall serve him and be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31 They shall come and declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
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"The assurance of God's faithfulness is the anchor for our prayers." — Sherrie T.
Life has its valleys and mountaintops. There are days when everything seems to align perfectly, and then there are days when we feel like the heavens are silent. In those moments of silence, the words of Psalm 20:1 come alive: "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."
When we call upon God, we are doing more than uttering words; we are engaging with the Creator of the universe. This act requires faith and trust as we acknowledge that He hears and will respond in ways beyond our comprehension. Yet, we often wrestle with doubt, wondering if God truly hears us or if our cries are lost in the vastness of eternity.
Trusting in His Timing
The story of King David is a powerful example of calling on God in times of need. David faced enemies, betrayal, and even moments of personal failure. Yet, he remained steadfast in his prayers. He knew that God’s timing was perfect. As Psalm 34:17 reminds us, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles."
Our human nature desires immediate answers, but God’s timeline often looks different. His delays are not denials. They allow us to grow in faith, patience, and reliance on Him. Every time we call on the Lord, we are invited into a deeper relationship with Him. Even when the answer seems slow, trust that He is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28).
The Power of Praise and Thanksgiving
Psalm 22 beautifully portrays the tension between feeling abandoned and holding onto faith. David begins with a cry of anguish, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1) but transitions to praise: "Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises" (Psalm 22:3).
When we feel unheard, worship can become our weapon. Praise shifts our focus from our problems to God’s power and promises. Thanksgiving reminds us of His past faithfulness, bolstering our confidence that He will answer again. Philippians 4:6 encourages us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
How to Approach the Throne
Come Boldly: Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Be honest with your emotions and lay them before Him.
Align Your Heart: Seek God’s will above your own. Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42), models submission to God’s perfect plan.
Be Persistent: Like the widow in Luke 18, don’t give up in prayer. Your perseverance demonstrates faith and dependence on God.
Listen and Wait: Prayer is not a monologue. Listen for God’s guidance through His Word, the Holy Spirit, or godly counsel.
Today, let us make it a priority to call on God with renewed fervor. Whether in a season of abundance or adversity, He is faithful to answer. Let’s pray boldly, worship deeply, and trust completely. The same God who heard David’s cries hears yours. May we never grow weary of seeking Him, for "the Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the privilege of prayer and the assurance that You hear us when we call. Help us trust in Your perfect timing and praise You even while you are waiting. May we boldly approach Your throne, aligning our hearts with Your will. Strengthen our faith and fill us with Your peace as we wait expectantly for Your answer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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