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Answer
Many people have felt abandoned by God in their moments of greatest need, seeking help from God but not receiving what they requested. Does this imply that God is indifferent or that He is disregarding our pleas for help? When we cry out to Him, imploring Him to alleviate the pain and suffering, we are expressing a common desire to avoid harm. This is not a sign of weakness, but rather a human trait.
The Bible recounts various accounts of individuals who called upon God in times of desperation and, at least temporarily, were met with silence. Job serves as a prominent example, feeling during his anguish as if God was absent: “If I go to the east, He is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find Him. When He is at work in the north, I do not see Him; when He turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of Him” (Job 23:8-9). The psalmists also grappled with the sensation that God was not responding to their cries: “Why, LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?” «Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?», (Psalm 10:1); “How long, LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” «How long wilt Thou forget me, O LORD? Forever? How long wilt Thou hide Your face from me?», (Psalm 13:1); “Why do You hide Your face and forget our misery and oppression?” «Wherefore hidest Thou Your face, And forgettest our affliction and our oppression?», (Psalm 44:24).
Jesus comprehends the reluctance to undergo pain and suffering. In the Garden of Gethsemane, just before His arrest, Jesus implored His Father.Three times, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” «And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. », (Matthew 26:39) also see Matthew 26:42 and Matthew 20:22. Although He requested for the “cup” to pass, Jesus asked with the condition “if it is possible.” Jesus was completely submissive to God’s will and not His own. If His suffering was part of God’s will, then He was willing to accept that.
When we cry out, “God, please help me,” God hears us and always responds. He may not respond in the way we desire, but He responds nonetheless. Understandably, when amidst the throes of pain, suffering, and grief, it is challenging to see the broader perspective of God’s plan, especially when we receive an answer of “no” or “not now.” However, we can trust in God’s sovereignty because we know He is good (Psalm 48:1;Psalm 95:3,6). Even as we go through trials, God gives grace «And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. », (2 Corinthians 12:9). After Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, “an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him” «And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. », (Luke 22:43).
Since God is omniscient, He is privy to details we cannot begin to understand. Psalm 147:5 says, “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” When we cry out to God, “PleaseHe helps me,” He sees the heart and understands «For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. », (Hebrews 4:15), and His response will always be out of love (Romans 5:8;Psalm 139:13-16). We can submit to His authority because He is trustworthy. Remember, God broke His silence and revealed Himself to Job in an unmistakable way «Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, », (Job 38:1).
Jesus assures us that God will only give us what is good and right in Luke 11:11–13, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” The God who keeps track of every sparrow cares about the details of our lives, too (Luke 12:5-6).
Since God knows what is best for our lives, He will not say “yes” to a prayer that goes against what is best. We may not understand or agree with the why of that response, but we can trust that God does and that His actions will redound to His glory and our ultimate good (Psalm 19:7;2 Corinthians 4:7). Through painful moments in life, we can learn Christlikeness and glorify the Lord with our words and actions even through our suffering (Job 1:22;James 1:2-8;1 Chronicles 16:28-29)
God responds to every call for help. But whether or not that response is the one we most desire is up to God. God works for the good of those who love Him «And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. », (Romans 8:28) and for His glory. We can trust that He will always answer cries for help in accordance with His good and perfect will. Even when the psalmist was seeking a seemingly absent God, he chose to live by faith: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6).
