God, Why Are You Not Helping Me?

God blesses those who obey him; happy the man who puts his trust in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20

Are you feeling like nothing is happening when you are crying out? Are you feeling like God has forgotten about you?

Everyone has encouraged you to pray. And that’s exactly what you’ve done. In fact, maybe you’re praying like you never have before in your life. You are praying night and day. But everything looks the same. It seems as if God has turned a deaf ear to you.

Where is He? Why won’t He help you when you are crying out to Him in desperation?

First, take note of one important promise. God tells us that he will never forsake or abandon us. People might. And sadly, they do. You might even know of plenty of people who post all over social media about how you should always reach out if you’re struggling - yet, here you are in the midst of a hard battle and they are nowhere to be found. It’s an unfortunate reality. You may, too, experience it with “church” people - they attend weekly, but have offered no support at all to you during this storm.

But God will never leave you. He does hear your prayers. He knows your hurt. He is aware of each and every tear you shed. Psalm 56, verse 8 actually tells us God is dutifully keeping tabs on all our sorrows. He is even capturing each individual tear. He holds them in a bottle and has a record of each one. He knows. And He cares deeply about what you’re going through.

So, why is God not intervening? Why is God not swooping in to save the day?

God tells us that His ways are not our ways. Someday, you might understand better why your story is unfolding as it is. Of course, you also may not ever fully comprehend the reasons. But God always has a plan. He knows where you are, always.

If you are suffering due to the sins and wrongdoings of another, God is aware of this, too. And He cares greatly about it. Trust that He knows every detail. He will right any wrongs done against you. So, if that’s your situation, know He is a God who loves justice. Rest assured that He is in control of that. He will deal with those who have wronged you. He sees all wickedness, and will not overlook any mischief, sin, or injustice. There is always a consequence for those who disobey God. Sooner or later.

Outwardly, they might seem to be faring well right now in the present, but the day for payment always comes. Notably, in the bible we are advised that God does not respond favorably to the prayers of those persisting in their wrongdoings. In John 9, verse 31 we are told: “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.”

In other words, don’t follow them in their wicked way or repay their wrongs with additional wrongs of your own lest your own prayers suddenly go unheard.

Take note: God sees all. Which means He will also see if you act in a Christ-like way in response to any injustice against you. And as He punishes sin, He will reward those who faithfully remain obedient. So, do what He tells you: be patient, endure, be kind, ALWAYS LOVE, be full of hope, be forgiving, have grace and show compassion. Remember, God loves justice and He loves those who obey Him.

If He hears, then why is He not taking action?

Consider the story of Lazarus. Jesus waited before providing aid. Mary and Martha, whom Jesus cared for and loved, let Jesus know their brother Lazarus will ill and needed help. But Jesus did not go to them. Instead, he delayed. And because of that delay, Lazarus was dead when He finally did arrive.

Why would Jesus let that happen? Why did He delay when He could have gone straight away?

Jesus tells us! And it is a message that applies during our own difficulties.

In John 11, verse 4 Jesus tells us exactly why things happened as they did. The entire incident was part of His plan. It was to be used to demonstrate God’s great glory. Sure, Jesus could have gotten there swiftly and healed him. But many knew Jesus could stop the sick from dying. However, now all were to know that God can take something which is dead, He can take a situation that seems beyond all hope, and raise it up back to life – all for God’s greater glory. This was a time when Jesus could show us what believing in Him is truly about. In John 11, verse 40 Jesus proclaims “did I not say to you that if you believe, you shall see the glory of God?”

Does your situation seem lifeless, hopeless, and dead beyond repair? But God! He can resurrect anything and nothing is too hard for Him!

It might seem like God has left the building on you. But as we see from Jesus and the story of Lazarus, He is never late and He has a plan. His plans are usually even better than any we could imagine up on our own.

This doesn’t mean waiting will always be easy. Waiting can surely be trying! This doesn’t mean you’ll understand or that you won’t suffer (the bible tells us we will suffer and face trials). But if you trust in Him, and you remain obedient, know that He will work things out. This means resisting the urge to be impatient, fighting the impulse to do things your own way. Usually, this means we ignore God’s commands to us (which never ends well). There are stories in the bible of people who rushed off and did things their own way - they were simply too impatient to wait and lacked faith that God had a plan to work things out favorably for them.

The waiting can be challenging. You have to keep reminding yourself again and again (and sometimes yet again) that God is with you and that if you remain faithful and obedient (no rushing off to put into place your own schemes which oppose his commands) He will bless you in the end.

Often people may tell you “it’s too late.” Thank God that it is NEVER too late for Him. And He can do all things - including raising up the things which to us appear dead.