Brandon writes in with a very common question, what do we do when God has seemed silent

for a really long time?

I feel almost no joy.

I go repeatedly to the scriptures and most often walk away still discouraged and unhelpful.

I pray continuously and feel like I get no response.

I am so cast down, Pastor John.

I know I do.

Brandon, I am sorry for the darkness and the distance that you feel.

Your situation is so common to God's people that many, many books have been written about

this kind of experience of darkness and distance.

I know that doesn't make it easier that books have been written about your experience,

but it might help you not doubt your standing with God just to realize that I and others,

thousands of others have shared seasons like that.

I wish I knew you better, Brandon, so that I could be sure you really do grasp the gospel

of Jesus, that he died for sinners like us.

He absorbed the wrath of God against his people.

He covered our sins by paying the price of the suffering and death we deserved.

He rose from the dead to give invincible hope.

He purchased a new covenant promise never to let his people fall away into destruction.

And he makes all of this available to us by faith alone, by seeing ourselves as helpless

and receiving, receiving like a little child, all that God is for us in Christ and embracing

him as our supreme treasure.

...