Have you ever thought that God is asleep? Maybe it seems He isn’t concerned about your problems and difficulties. Or perhaps you feel He isn’t listening to your prayers.
The writer of Psalm 44 had a similar feeling in his difficult situation. He writes:
“Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? … Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love. (v23-24, 26)
God does not sleep! How we feel doesn’t necessarily reflect what is true.
Psalm 121:4 says that He who keeps Israel does not slumber or sleep. God is eternally vigilant and eternally alert. Our mothers learned how to sleep with one ear open. When we cried out, they were right there to help us. But God doesn’t sleep at all, so both of His ears are open.
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry”. (Ps. 34:15)
God is awake, and He is mindful of our needs.
Then why doesn’t He do something? He always waits to do His will at a time when it will do us the most good and bring Him the most glory. The delays of God are not denials.
Because His timing is perfect, we must wait, trust and not complain. It’s easy to complain, but we need to wait in silence before the Lord. And praise Him, because one day you will look back and understand why you had to wait.
– VALERIE O’REGAN