LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil

Monday 16th March 2026

WHEN GOD SEEMS FAR

Scripture Reading: Psalm 10

Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do you hide in times of trouble? *Psalm 10:1

Psalm 10 begins with a question, ‘why’. It is a question that many Christians have asked the Lord in times of affliction. Our walk with the Lord is a walk of faith and a walk of faith is not always easy. 

This Psalm was written at a time when the writer could neither see nor feel God’s presence during a time of crisis. Although the Psalm begins with questions, it ends with a bold statement of faith in the Lord. He asks two questions.

Why do you stand afar off? The psalmist does not ask this question expecting God to give him a reason. He asks the question, expecting God to act. It is his way of calling God to action. He knows the Lord is present but can’t understand why the Lord seems far away from the situation He is going through. 

Why do you hide in times of trouble? The second question goes a bit further – the psalmist feels God is hiding from him. He can’t seem to feel His presence in ‘times of trouble’. 

As humans, we are conditioned to respond to what we see, smell, taste, feel or hear – our five senses. When any or all of our natural senses are not able to pick up information, we feel lost.

Faith is not of our natural senses. Faith is trusting who God is and what He has said. Sometimes,mes the Lord does something that allows our natural senses to register that He is present ais at work. Other times, the Lord works without us seeing, hearing or feeling Him at work. When that happens, we feel lost; especially, when we can see, hear, and feel the wicked at work. 

God is at work whether we see Him or not, whether we feel Him or not. We must depend on the assurance of His word, rather than rely on our senses in our dealings with Him. We can trust in His faithfulness to His word.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know you are always present. Help me to trust you even when I can’t see or feel your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

RECOMMENDED

• Cyber Security Audit Manager Job in Singapore 2026
• Financial Controller Jobs with Visa Sponsorship in London (£75,000 per year)
• Qatar Chemistry Teacher Jobs with Visa Sponsorship 2026 (QAR 14,000 per month)
• Technical Specialist 4 Jobs in USA 2026 with H-1B Visa Sponsorship
• TFWP Administrator Jobs in Canada 2026 (CAD 24 to 32 per hour)
• UK HGV Truck Driver Jobs 2026 with Visa Sponsorship (£18 per hour)
• USA Facilities Maintenance Technician Jobs with Visa Sponsorship 2026