Unseen Footprints

Unseen Footprints

“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.” Psalm 77:19

I must confess that there are times when I feel like God is not listening to my prayers or paying attention to my needs. His silence stings and challenges my faith. I wonder if He’s really there and If He is, does He really care?

I am not alone. Consider Asaph’s lament in Psalm 77:7-9 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

But Asaph did not give in to his doubt. Instead, he subjected his feelings to his faith, and that’s what we are to do too. Asaph wrote: “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

David did the same thing when his faith was challenged by difficulty, saying “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” (Psalm 143:5)

And the Apostle Paul tells us the stories of scripture were written to give us hope and renew our faith. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Even when you can’t see God’s footprints, you can know by the testimony of Scripture that He’s directing your path. Even though you can’t see Him physically, you can take comfort that “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Are you trusting God even when your circumstances tell you to doubt?