My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer and by night, but I find no rest. -Psalm 22:1-2

Before Jesus quoted this psalm from the cross, they were the words of the great singer of Israel, King David. David had a close, intimate walk with God. At times his own sin created a chasm in that relationship, but at other times God simply seemed to disappear from his life, for no rhyme or reason. Though he sought God, he could not find him, and his soul became parched and longed for the renewing of that relationship.

I have found (and a few of you have shared with me the same) that there are seasons in our lives which God intentionally makes “dry.” He moves away from us (not physically, of course, but by withdrawing his comforting presence) so that we will learn to rely on his strength and not on our own (or for other reasons unknown to us). I confess that I do not know exactly why or when God does these things. They tend to sneak up on me. There is no question that we are often the instigators of our own spiritual dryness, walking away from the Lord in sin and disobedience (Psalm 51:11). At times, however, it happens despite our faithfulness to Scripture reading, prayer, regular worship attendance, and Christian service. For me at least, dry seasons come at unpredictable times. Busyness, lack of prayer, emotional or physical trauma, or idleness can certainly be factors, but there is no real pattern. I am thankful that spiritually dry seasons are very rare for me, never long-lasting, and have never led to a true “crisis of faith.” In a couple of seasons in my walk with the Lord, however, I have found that close communion with him has been interrupted. Although I cannot always put a finger on how or why, I can say my walk with the Lord is always stronger after these periods of dryness, not weaker. Somehow, mysteriously it seems, God uses these times to build me up rather than tear me down.

I have no pat answers for those of you who have shared with me that you are suffering through dry periods in your walk with God. The short answer is, “He is God, and he does as he pleases” (Dan. 4:34-35). I have found that I usually do not see a breakthrough until I have sincerely searched my own heart to see if I am harboring secret sin. If so, confession is the path to healing. If I do not find that God is trying to make me aware of a pattern of sinfulness in my life, I simply ask him to do what he wants to do with me—and to be pleased to do it quickly. Sometimes I need to wait quietly before God. I have a tendency, at times, to undo myself with my doing. Maybe that describes you as well.

For those who truly know God, and seek to know him, these dry periods are intended for good, not evil. Keep seeking him through the tears and wait for him to show you his presence again. He will, and you will be better for it. Before long, you will be able to say with King David, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:3-4).

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jym