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Often it is in the agony that we gain perspective. It would certainly be more pleasant if we could gain perspective and wisdom in times of great prosperity and pleasure, but scripture seems to indicate that usually the reverse is true.

I think this perspective doesn’t always come quickly during times of duress or suffering. When tragedy strikes and the waters of difficulty rise, we usually focus on the immediate. We jump into action, as we should. Depending on the nature of our problems, we do what we need to do in the moment. But as we navigate our challenges, there are often seasons of silence when we seek to understand what happened. It is in this silence that we turn to God.

The good news for us is that God is ready for us whenever we turn to him. He doesn’t mind the intensity of our emotions when we come to him. He can handle anger, frustration, and sorrow. He is not intimidated by our questions. I suspect that he wants the questions and the honest outpouring of emotions because it is in our raw and unfiltered honesty that he will meet us and where we gain wisdom and he gives us the strength to endure.

Psalm 74 is an example of meeting God after a tragic event. Asaph penned this psalm or song while reflecting on the destruction of God’s temple. The temple was the centerpiece of faith for the ancient Hebrews. The destruction was complete. Asaph’s words demonstrate that our prayers can be raw and questioning and still be filled with faith. In fact, it is our faith in the grace and mercy of God that allows us to say and ask God anything.

As Asaph questioned God concerning his whereabouts and seeming rejection, he also remembered and acknowledged a central truth. Right in the middle of his lament we find this powerful declaration:

“Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.”

God created and claimed ownership of all things. No day starts or ends outside of his involvement. Every aspect of our lives is initiated and maintained by the work of his hands. From birth to death, he extends his grace to us, even when we fail to acknowledge his presence.

As Asaph ponders this truth, he pleads with God to reveal himself and get involved in helping his people. Asaph pleads with God and asks him to take his hands out of his robe and use them to stop the enemy from further destruction. Asaph has the faith to ask and believe that God will intervene, even though it appears that he looked the other way when destruction came about for his people.

We have a significant advantage when we pray and look back. We can certainly look back at the many times and ways God has revealed himself and helped us get through many tough experiences before. But we can also look back to the gift of Jesus and what he did on the cross to set us free from the bondage of sin. The amazing grace, mercy, and love of God bursts forth through the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. As the old song reminds us, “Because he lives, we can face tomorrow.” And because he lives, we can face today with confidence that he is with us and will stay with us even until he returns and brings heaven to earth.

Father, thank you for giving us the prayers of the saints who have gone before us, that we might learn both who you are and how to pray. We admit we don’t understand all that you are doing even in the middle of our difficult days, but we trust that you are with us even in the silence. We pray that you would reveal yourself today. Thank you for the gift of Jesus. Holy Spirit, fill us and grant us wisdom and strength, that we might not only get through this day, but also that we might find ways to share your love and mercy to another, even today. In Jesus’ name, amen.