Earlier this week we talked about how God never sleeps. But sometimes it seems like that’s the only explanation. We go through stuff and it seems like God doesn’t care or is unaware. That what the writer of Psalm 44 concluded. He writes:
Psalm 44:23-26 – “Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.”
My devotional book says this:
Why does God sleep? Everything is going wrong though Israel has not been unfaithful to its covenant (Ps. 44:17-21). God seems to be asleep (verse 23). “Awake, Lord!” is the daring but honest cry. Ultimately however, we always and only suffer under God’s loving care (verse 26). God may seem to be asleep in the storms of our lives the way Jesus was (Mark 4:38, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”). However God is not asleep, but he won’t be rushed. He knows what he’s doing. He has a plan and it’s a plan of love. (Tim Keller, Songs of Jesus, April 3, 93).
So when it seems like God is sleeping, we can honestly express that feeling to Him. But then we need to return to Psalm 121:3-4 – “He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep.”
“Lord Jesus, in the boat during the storm your disciples accused you of not caring – but you were never out of control and you saved them. I confess that to me also you seem to not care, to be doing nothing. That is wrong. The cross proves incontrovertibly, eternally that you do care. I praise you and rest in you for that.” (Keller).