“Why do you stand far away, O LORD? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 ESV).
The psalmist, writing to God on behalf of his people, voiced a heartfelt lament in the face of injustice and suffering. He did not question God’s existence or faithfulness, but expressed the painful experience of God’s seeming distance when the wicked prospered and the helpless were oppressed. By asking why the LORD “stood far away” and “hid” Himself, the writer used vivid, relational language to describe the felt absence of God during crisis. This opening cry set the tone for the entire psalm, moving from honest complaint to confident appeal. The psalmist went on to describe the arrogance and cruelty of the wicked, but this first verse framed the struggle: the righteous wrestled with God’s timing and apparent silence. Yet even in lament, the psalm pointed forward in hope, for the very act of calling out to God assumed that He was listening and would act in justice.
When we walk through seasons where God feels distant, we can cry out to Him in lament. Like the psalmist, we can bring our confusion, pain, and questions to the LORD instead of burying them. We must remember that “standing far off” and “hiding” describe how God feels to us, not who He truly is. As we see injustice around us or experience trials in our own lives, we can trust that God’s silence is not God’s absence. In these dark seasons, God often uses the felt distance to stir a deeper hunger for Himself, teaching us to seek Him more earnestly. Lament becomes a doorway to renewed faith when we keep calling on Him. Even when we cry, “Where are You, Lord?” we are still running toward Him. And when He responds—when the long night gives way to the morning light—we do not just rejoice in His help; we love Him more for who He is. In this way, waiting in the darkness becomes a pathway to greater trust, deeper affection, and a stronger hope, because He is still near, even when He feels far off.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that there are times when You seem far away and silent in our troubles. Teach us to bring our laments to You with honest hearts and trusting faith. Help us to wait for Your justice and rest in Your nearness, even when we cannot see it. Strengthen us to keep calling on You, trusting in Your perfect timing and response. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre (Genesis 25:9 ESV).
The last time Isaac and Ishmael were at peace may have been when they buried their father, Abraham. They buried him in the same tomb Abraham had bought to bury Sarah. These two sons became two great peoples. The Jewish nation came from Isaac and the Arab peoples from Ishmael. They stood together at their father’s funeral, but enmity has existed between them until this day. Judaism claims Abraham as its father through Isaac. And Islam claims the same, albeit through Ishmael.
The tomb of the patriarchs is in the modern day city of Hebron, in Palestine, nineteen miles South of Jerusalem. The site has intermittently been under Jewish, Christian, or Muslim control. The current building that sits atop the tomb was originally built as a church. But later, under Muslim control, minarets were added to make it a mosque.
The descendants of Isaac and Ishmael still contend over the site, both claiming to be the true sons of Abraham. Yet, the true children of Abraham are those who have by faith believed in Jesus. For as the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham” (Gal. 3:7).
The key to ending the hostility between Isaac and Ishmael, Jew and Muslim, is faith in Jesus. For such faith proves who are the true spiritual children of Abraham. Only Jesus can give us true peace.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are those who have placed our faith in Jesus. Because of Him, we have been adopted into the line of Abraham and have become Your children. Jesus has reconciled us to You, Father. And You have called us to be ministers of reconciliation. Strengthen us to proclaim the gospel of peace to all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
‘And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”’ (Matthew 8:27 ESV).
At first the disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat, then they feared the One inside the boat. “What sort of man is this?” They wondered. He demonstrates authority over both the seen and the unseen creation. For both storms and evil spirits obey Him. Who but God Himself could do such things?
Yet, having the Son of God in our life does not guarantee the absence of storms. Storms will come. The promise is not that storms won’t come, but that the Lord will never leave nor forsake us in the midst of life’s storms. Perhaps the storms of life help us to better understand who our Savior is. Not just in our heads, but in our hearts. We finally experience the reality of whom we have believed. Jesus is greater than any storm. So, let us take our eyes off the storm and turn them upon Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to focus on Your Son, Jesus, when the storms of life come. For it’s in the storm that we have learned more about Him and grown in our faith in Him. Forgive us when we fear the storm when we should be trusting the Savior. Rescue us not only from life’s storms, but from the anxiety of facing them. We put our trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite” (Genesis 25:9 NLT).
Isaac and Ishmael buried their father, Abraham, in the same tomb he had bought to bury Sarah. These two sons became two great peoples. The Jewish nation came from Isaac and the Arab nations from Ishmael. They stood united at their father’s funeral, but enmity has existed between them until this day. Judaism claims Abraham as its father through Isaac. And Islam claims the same, albeit through Ishmael.
The tomb of the patriarchs is in the modern day city of Hebron, in Palestine, nineteen miles South of Jerusalem. The site has intermittently been under Jewish, Christian, or Muslim control. The current building that sits atop the tomb was originally built as a church. But later, under Muslim control, minarets were added to make it a mosque.
The descendants of Isaac, the miraculous son of the free woman and Ishmael, the human son of the slave woman, still contend over the site. The stories of the Bible are true. Its history helps us understand many of today’s events.
PRAYER: Dear Father, Your Word is true. Thank You for the Holy Scriptures which lead, guide and direct us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We love Your Word. It is like bread to our hungry souls. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
At first the disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat, then they feared the One inside the boat. “Who is this man?” They wondered. He demonstrates authority over both the seen and the unseen creation. For both storms and evil spirits obey Him. Who but God Himself could do such things?
Yet, having the Son of God in our life does not guarantee the absence of storms. Storms will come. The promise is not that storms won’t come, but that the Lord will never leave nor forsake us in the midst of life’s storms. Perhaps the storms of life help us to better understand who our Savior is. Not just in our heads, but in our hearts. We finally experience the reality that we have believed: Jesus is greater than any storm. So, let us take our eyes off the storm and turn them upon Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to focus on Your Son, Jesus, when the storms of life come. For it’s in the storm that we have learned more about Him and grown in our faith in Him. Forgive us when we fear the storm when we should be trusting the Savior. Rescue us not only from life’s storms, but from the anxiety of facing them. We put our trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Isaac and Ishmael buried their father, Abraham, in the same tomb he had bought to bury Sarah. These two sons became two great peoples. The Jewish nation came from Isaac and the Arab nations from Ishmael. They stood united at their father’s funeral, but enmity has existed between them until this day. Judaism claims Abraham as its father through Isaac. And Islam claims the same, albeit through Ishmael.
The tomb of the patriarchs, Abraham and Sarah, is in modern day Hebron. The site has intermittently been under Jewish, Christian, or Muslim control. The current building that sits atop the tomb was originally built as a church. But later, under Muslim control, minarets were added to make it a mosque.
The descendants of Isaac, the miraculous son of the free woman and Ishmael, the human son of the slave woman, still contend over the site. The stories of the Bible are true. Its history helps us understand many of today’s events.
PRAYER: Dear Father, Your Word is true. Thank You for the Holy Scriptures which lead, guide and direct us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We love Your Word. It is like bread to our hungry souls. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
At first the disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat, then they feared the One inside the boat. “Who can this be?” They wondered. He demonstrates authority over both the seen and the unseen creation. For both storms and evil spirits obey Him. Who but God Himself could do such things?
Yet, having the Son of God in our life does not guarantee the absence of storms. Storms will come. The promise is not that storms won’t come, but that the Lord will never leave nor forsake us in the midst of life’s storms. Perhaps the storms of life help us to better understand who our Savior is. Not just in our heads, but in our hearts. We finally experience the reality that we have believed: Jesus is greater than any storm. So, let us take our eyes off the storm and turn them upon Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to focus on Your Son, Jesus, when the storms of life come. For it’s in the storm that we have learned more about Him and grown in our faith in Him. Forgive us when we fear the storm when we should be trusting the Savior. Rescue us not only from life’s storms, but from the anxiety of facing them. We put our trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Isaac and Ishmael buried their father, Abraham, in the same tomb he had bought to bury Sarah. These two sons became two great peoples. The Jewish nation came from Isaac and the Arab nations from Ishmael. They stood united at their father’s funeral, but enmity has existed between them until this day. The tomb of Abraham and Sarah is in modern day Hebron. The site has intermittently been under Jewish, Christian, or Muslim control. The current building that sits atop the tomb is a hybrid of a church with Muslim minarets added to make it a mosque.
Isaac, the miraculous son of the free woman and Ishmael, the human son of the slave woman still contend over the site. The stories of the Bible are true. Its history affects today’s events.
PRAYER: Lord, your Word is true. Thank you for the Holy Scriptures which lead, guide and direct us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We love Your Word. It is like bread to our hungry souls. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Abraham sent his servant to get Isaac a bride from his own relatives. He did not want him to marry a local Canaanite woman. The servant is the picture of obedience. He was faithful to find Isaac a wife from Abraham’s relatives. The servant is unnamed in this chapter, but he appears to be Abraham’s most trusted servant, “Eliezer” (Gen. 15:2). This is a beautiful story and is often seen as a spiritual typology given to Israel to prepare them for the coming Messiah.
As a spiritual type, who does each character represent?
– Abraham represents God the Father.
– Isaac represents Christ the Son.
– Rebekah represents the Bride of Christ, the Church.
Those who choose to ignore God’s Word and follow the sinful desires of their heart will always justify their choices with self-delusional reasoning. Only those who fear and respect the Lord are able to look at themselves in the mirror of His Word to confront their own hypocrisy. Stop the excuses and repent, and the Lord will set you free.