Lord why does it seem

Lord, why does it seem you're so far away?
when I need you most, don't cover your face.
Consider my tears, the struggle and grief;
oh won't you come near and bring your relief?
For you've promised good to me,
so in faith I'm holding on
and I'm waiting on the promise of your word.

Have mercy on me and see my distress;
remember your love and your faithfulness.
I'll lift up my soul and cry out again;
deliver me, Lord, from anguish and pain.
For you've promised good to me,
so in faith I'm holding on
and I'm waiting on the promise of your word.

Almighty One, my strength and my song;
you are my refuge, my shield.
Faithful and True, my hope is in you:
God who will rescue and heal.

And so I will wait and trust in the One
who showed me his face in Jesus the Son.
Compassionate God, your mercy is real,
you suffered and bled that I might be healed.
Yes, you've shown your love to me
and by grace Im holding on
as I'm living in the promise of your word.

As Christians we are not immune from times of difficulty in our lives, in fact Jesus said in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33) but there are perhaps not so many contemporary worship songs that enable us to express some of the doubts, fears, despair and questions that we experience at such times. We can even feel vaguely guilty about asking "Why, Lord?" or complaining to him. But the writers of the Psalms did just that in so many places, crying out to God in their anguish, expressing disappointment, frustration & hopelessness - while elsewhere lifting up glorious praises & declaring trust in the everlasting, faithful God. This song takes inspiration from such writings but, unlike the psalmists, we know that God has responded to our questions and longings, and that he has come to us in Christ, walked our road & shouldered our burdens, ultimately meeting our deepest needs at the cross. And so we are encouraged and strengthened, enabled to keep holding on and living by his grace in our lives.