It Starts Small

3 In my bed at night
I sought the one I love;
I sought him, but did not find him.

Songs 3:1

The night season of the soul erupts with a fervent ache. The bride lies on her bed—longing, reaching, searching with an intensity that consumes her. The one she adores remains absent, amplifying her desire. The bed in this passage transcends mere rest; it embodies vulnerability and the rawness of her heart. It is the sanctuary of dreams, where emotions dance in the stillness. Here, in her profound solitude, the bride’s insatiable hunger roars to life. From this ache, her relentless pursuit ignites. She seeks, yet He eludes her grasp. This moment unveils one of the most profound spiritual experiences: the divine silence. Spiritual dryness, often described as the dark night of the soul, is not a sign of divine rejection; rather, it is a sacred invitation to embark on a journey towards deeper intimacy. God’s silence is not absence—it’s an alluring mystery. It is the sacred space that resides between desire and discovery. In this space, the bride steps forward, fueled by an insatiable longing.

¹ Lord, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide in times of trouble?

Psalms 10:1

The Psalmist passionately voices the bride’s anguished plea – why must God feel so excruciatingly distant in our moments of dire need? This eternal question resonates through the ages, as old as faith itself. The Psalmist grapples with the heart-wrenching tension between God’s divine promises and His seemingly far-off presence. Theologically, this night season plunges us into the depths of longing. True love shines brightest not just in the warmth of closeness, but in the poignant ache of absence. When we perceive God’s silence, our faith is stretched and tested — not as a punitive measure, but as a means to cultivate our growth. Love flourishes and deepens precisely when it withstands the trials of distance.

Psychologically, distance ignites an intense yearning within us. Absence awakens a profound desire that can make our hearts ache. Relationships often strengthen through the fiery trials of separation. Attachment theory reveals that longing, when paired with deep emotional connection, serves to solidify the bonds we share. The bride’s pursuit of the Groom is not born of desperation; it’s a fervent yearning from a heart that has tasted the sweetness of intimacy. Neuroscience echoes this sentiment, showing that during moments of longing, the brain’s reward system pulsates with heightened activity. The pursuit of connection—whether spiritually or relationally—magnifies our awareness, sharpens our focus, and amplifies our emotional sensitivity. Thus, our longing for God is not in vain; it prepares us to recognize Him with a depth we never thought possible.

You may find yourself in the midst of a long, dark night. Your prayers may seem to go unheard, and your worship might feel devoid of life. It may seem like God is distant, but take heart—He is ever-present! He is igniting a fire within your soul, beckoning you to pursue Him, not for the gifts He graciously extends, but for the magnificent essence of who He truly is.

Journal Prompt:

• Have you experienced a season where God felt distant?
• What did it stir in your heart?

Practical Steps and Application:

1. Write honestly to God about where He feels distant in your life.
2. Meditate on Psalm 10:1 and invite God into your questions.
3. Choose stillness today to simply wait on Him.

Deeper Introspection:

¹ Lord, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide in times of trouble?

Psalms 10:1

Psalm 10:1 presents a raw and honest question that many believers face during times of suffering: “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”. This lament psalm gives voice to the feelings of confusion and despair that arise when it seems God is silent or absent amid injustice. The journaling prompts below are designed to help you process these difficult questions with biblical grounding.

Honest questions and heartfelt prayer

• Acknowledge your feelings. The psalmist is not afraid to express his frustration to God. In your journal, write out exactly how you feel about your situation and God’s perceived distance. Use the psalmist’s own words from Psalm 10:1 as a starting point.
• Consider God’s faithfulness. The psalmist moves from lament to confidence, remembering God’s kingship and justice later in the chapter (Psalm 10:16-18). Journal about what you know to be true about God, even when your feelings tell you otherwise.
  • Scripture references:
    • Psalm 34:19: “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
    • Psalm 33:20-22: “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield… Let your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”

Trusting God’s timing and justice

• Reflect on God’s perspective. The wicked in Psalm 10 assume God has “forgotten” and will “never notice” their actions (Psalm 10:11). But the psalmist later affirms, “But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand” (Psalm 10:14).. Write about how this contrast challenges your own perspective on your troubles.
• Practice patience. The psalm models waiting patiently for the Lord to act. Consider a situation where you feel the wicked are prospering while the righteous suffer. Write down why it is hard for you to wait and what it would look like to trust God’s timing.
  • Scripture reference: Psalm 37:7: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Seeking God’s presence in the waiting

• Define “hiding.” The psalmist asks, “Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1). Reflect on what “hiding” means to you right now. How are you experiencing God’s presence, even if it doesn’t feel like a dramatic intervention?
• Look for small mercies. In your journal, list the small ways you have seen God show up for you or others in the midst of a difficult season. This practice of gratitude helps retrain your mind to see God’s “very present help”.
  • Scripture references:
    • Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
    • Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Moving toward assurance

• Pray for a change in perspective. The psalmist begins with a question but ends with confident praise, trusting that God hears the cries of the afflicted and will establish justice (Psalm 10:17-18). Write a prayer asking God to shift your perspective from anxious questioning to hopeful waiting, believing that his sovereign rule will ultimately prevail.
• Embrace the process. The Psalms are a collection of honest emotions poured out to God, not just a list of perfectly polished prayers. Remember that it’s okay to feel your emotions and bring them to God honestly. This vulnerability is the first step toward finding peace and assurance in him.

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