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“Does the Lord not see it?” is the theme for our reflection. “Does the Lord not see it?” is an expression of frustration of a person going through affliction and feeling God is silent or the salvation of the Lord is not forthcoming. This part of Jeremiah’s poem of Lamentation is directed to the faithful who have suffered due to Israel’s sin and fall. Jeremiah himself was a victim of his people’s disobedience to God. Does the Lord not see and save those who are faithful to him? Why should a righteous and faithful believer suffer unjustly? These are difficult or thorny questions that challenge our faith. Job also had a similar experience with God. However, Jeremiah gives us hope that “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD… the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men. To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the earth, to deny a man justice in the presence of the Most High, to subvert a man in his lawsuit,
the Lord does not approve. (Lamentations 3:25-26,31-36)

Dear friend in the Lord, suffering and the feeling of dejection in times of challenges are part of our walk with God. We are bound to go through hard times like Joseph, Hannah, Job and the Apostles. We shall experience injustice and torture like Jesus Christ and even question God by crying out “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) The assurance or hope we receive in today’s reflection is that in as much as we may be experiencing pain, frustration and depression we must still hold fast to our faith in God. It is ok to cry before Him in prayer, He hears and understands our pangs and grief.  You may be going through unjust treatment and persecution at your workplace for believing and doing what will glorify the Lord. You may be experiencing betrayal, rejection or denial by those you have loved and trusted all these years to stand by you in challenging moments. Some people even contemplate suicide as an option to the complex challenges or unbearable frustrations of life. Dear friend, don’t give up, God sees and feels all our pains and frustrations. His timing is beyond our understanding, it is for this reason, the Prophet Isaiah assures us that “…they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31). Although our Lord Jesus Christ went through torture and death on the cross, on the third day He resurrected from the dead. No condition is permanent, for Jesus gives us the assurance that “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27). The economy may be hard, friends and family may give up on you,  your business may be struggling, your debt portfolio may keep increasing, your relationship or marriage may be collapsing, your sickness may be giving you unbearable pains, your unemployment situation may become frustrating but throwing in the towel in the most challenging moment of your life and contemplating suicide is not an option my dear friend,  because “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD” (Lamentations 3:25-26). 

Your case is still before our God, the righteous Judge, He will intervene! Jesus is in the boat with you therefore, do not fear the storms of life because He has the power to tell your pains, frustrations and challenges that “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39) Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, be merciful and gracious to us in times when we are unable to bear the frustrations and pains of our challenging situations. Strengthen our faith even as we await our time of salvation. Amen.