In Joshua 10, Joshua finds himself in the middle of a battle in which God has promised him he would emerge victorious.  But before the victory can be completed he finds himself running out of daylight.  So there in the middle of the battle and in front of all of his followers he prays the impossible, he asks God to make the Sun Stand Still.  Here at the Well, the faith community I am a part of, we have just finished a series of teachings from this passage inspired by Steve Furtick’s book Sun Stand Still challenging our people to believe for the impossible.  To live at the level of their highest hope, and never be afraid to believe or ask God for the ridiculous.  For some of us it may be new life in a dying marriage, or health for ourselves or a loved one, maybe it is restored relationships between us and our kids or us and our parents, perhaps the need is financial, or spiritual, but for whatever reason it has gotten so big that it is overwhelming and seemingly impossible.  All of these are perfect candidates for our Sun Stand Still principle.

But the one thing we didn’t have time to talk about is, what happens when the Sun Sets and we didn’t see our answer to prayer?  Here is an excerpt from an e-mail conversation I have been having with a couple dear friends whose Sun seems to have set:

They write:

We are struggling. Big time.  I personally have pushed God away and, I am ashamed to say, given up. I get tired of trying to figure it out. Trying to find those moments of where He is working. Why does it have to be so complicated ? I know God moves in mysterious ways, but come on ! I know He has a different time schedule for us. I know He “refines” us by these worldly troubles, but sometimes I get really tired of the refining. I don’t feel sharp– I feel dull.  How is it helping if I feel anger and frustration with Him ? Trials and pain are supposed to bring us closer to Him, but I don’t feel any closer. I know it’s a choice we must make daily…to have faith in the dark times and in the light. But many times I feel like He is an elusive God.

Have you ever been there?  I have, probably more times than I would admit to most days and maybe even more times than I realize.  So here were a couple of my thoughts.

I get it, and this isn’t a sign of poor Christianity or lack of faith, I think the word is authentic, and I am confident God understands.

Asaph (the psalmist) said,
Ps. 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.

3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Jeremiah said,

Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you.

Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?

2 You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit;

you are near in their mouth and far from their heart.

3 But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you.

Job said,
God has cast me into the mire,
and I have become like dust and ashes.
I cry to you for help and you do not answer me;
I stand, and you only look at me.
You have turned cruel to me;
with the might of your hand you persecute me.
(Job 30:19-21 ESV)

I think it is safe to say you are in some pretty good company right now kid.  These are the men we base our faith on…of course Christ is our chief example, but these and many others are our…more human example.  Keep asking, keep banging, keep crying, just don’t give up, never give up.  He will come, I promise, and when he does it may not make any more sense then it does now, but you will know that He was faithful.

I think about Joseph, going from bad to worse over and over, from a well, to slavery, to prison, and then finally a palace.  This is a story that repeats itself over and over throughout our shared biblical history.  Maybe this is what Paul was thinking about when He wrote, don’t become tired of doing the right thing, because eventually you will reap what you have sown, if you don’t give up.  That is the crux, not giving up.  Solomon, the smartest cat who ever lived said, keep casting your bread on the water and soon, maybe he should have said, “inevitably” it will return on every wave.

There have been so many times in my life when I have found myself standing on the edge of a ferocious sea, with what I was sure was my last crumb in my hand about to through it into a sea that so far hadn’t produced a single thing in return, but I can’t tell you of one time when God didn’t come through some how.

So now when I find myself in that place, I say a pray, steady my nerves and go all in…again…!

I know it sounds cliche’, but I know the one in whom I have believed, and I am confident that He is more than able to keep that which you have committed to Him.  So having done all we can do we continue to do what we can and wait for God to do what we can not, and to keep us in the process.

Hang in there.  To say that, to ask that hurts my heart, because I know you have been faithful and it is difficult for me to make sense when things look and feel like this, but I do believe somehow, God will make a way, even if we can’t see it or make sense of it for now.

Today my heart goes out for all those who find themselves in impossible situation with Suns that seem to have set.

My prayer for you is peace,

May the Lord bless and keep you

May He make His face shine on you and be gracious towards you

May He lift his countenance upon you and give you….

Peace.