“O Lord, be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.” —Psalm 35:22-23
God sometimes does seem distant, as if he is not listening to us. Think of the hundreds of years Israel was in bondage, praying for God’s promised Deliverer. “Isn’t God listening?” they repeatedly wondered. “Why have you abandoned us, O, God?” they asked in agony. Yet, at the right time, God sent his Son and brought lasting deliverance (Galatians 4:4). Thankfully, God doesn’t ask us to pretend that everything is okay when it isn’t. He filled the Psalms with cries for deliverance and help. You may find yourself in a position where the words of today’s verses are yours. Please know that thousands of our readers are praying today for God’s immediate and mighty deliverance with you: