What do you do if your desperate prayers seem unanswered? Like telephoning someone you know is listening who never says a word in response? Like you're alone in a vast universe feeling, well, let's say it, "God-forsaken"?
It's as Moses said, the "heavens above" seem like "brass" and "the earth under thee is iron" (Deut. 28:23). Anyone who has never had even a taste of that can only mouth helpful words that sound empty. Those whom God honors do have a taste, for it involves "the fellowship [of Christ] of His sufferings" (Phil. 3:10). You can never enjoy "partaking" "when His glory shall be revealed" unless you have first been a partaker "of Christ's sufferings." This is the reason, the Word says, for you to "rejoice" (1 Peter 4:12, 13).
But this seems of small comfort just now. Let someone say something whom God especially called to nurture you (he partook intimately of Christ's sufferings). It's David in his Psalms:
"Wait on the Lord; ... wait, I say, on the Lord" (Psalm 27:14). Find some spot where you can "shut thy door [and] pray to thy Father which is in secret" (Matt. 6:6; that's the Son of David). But the point in "waiting" is not to say words as you pray, for the truth is you don't know what words to say! "We know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Rom. 8:26). So if you don't know what to say, don't just mouth words that you "know not." That's the point in "waiting on the Lord." Wait, so you can listen.
The Lord will give you some place where you can "shut thy door," and if such a place is only the darkness of night (that's a good time to pray when everybody else is asleep). To get up and kneel before the Lord when you want to stay snug in bed won't impress the Lord with your virtue, but it will help assure you yourself that you are serious (you need that conviction).
Now wait before Him, silent, eyes closed, alone, just asking Him to convict you of the truth of your situation. Don't hurry; "wait." If you're serious, you will "wait." You're having what inspiration says is "Christian experience." You "will watch to see what He will say unto [you]" (Hab. 2:1). Yes, for His Holy Spirit will convict you of God's response, for Jesus promised "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." That is, by His Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18). Now it's time for you to do something--"believe ... that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6). Wait.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
