Did God Hang Up the Phone?

by David Foucar

I recently called customer service at my bank. Unfortunately, they couldn’t answer my question right away so the representative says “may I put you on a brief hold while I investigate the problem”. You know the feeling, right? It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s a bank, your phone service provider, the car dealer, you fill in the blank. It’s always the same, isn’t it? You get put on hold and are left wondering when they’re going to return with an answer. Sometimes, you’re left in silence or maybe you get to hear that “pleasant” music in the background while you wait. Either way, soon you begin to wonder if someone needs to explain to these guys if they understand what “brief” means. Eventually you’re left thinking, did they hang up the phone? Finally you ask, ”hello, hello, is anybody there?”

Sometimes similar thoughts cross our minds where God is concerned, don’t they? We’ve prayed and there is no apparent answer. We wonder if He’s listening. I’m pretty sure most of us feel the same way at some point in our lives and often it is in the most difficult situation. A loved one has cancer and we pray for healing. A baby lost to miscarriage and we ask “why?” The life changing job that we knew was just perfect for us is given to someone else. Is God listening to our prayers? Did He hang up the phone?

The short answer is no, He didn’t hang up the phone, and we have to keep reminding ourselves of that. We hang on to the promises that “all things work together for the good” (Rms 8:28) and that God “will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear.” (1 Cor 10:13) In fact, at times it seems those promises are all we have to cling to. We hang on with bloody fingernails, so to speak. But God’s promises are not just for the future. We don’t have to grin and bear it until we make it through knowing that tomorrow will be better. He is here and present with us, in every difficulty, every trial, right now. “How do you know?” someone might say. It’s simple really, I remember that “Jesus Wept.” (Jn 11:35)

Yep, you know the verse. Maybe your Sunday School teacher even asked you something like “did you memorize a scripture verse this week?” and you proudly, or maybe brazenly with a laugh, said “yep, ‘Jesus wept’.” Such an easy verse to remember and so easily tossed aside. Of course, the depth of the verse, and what brings comfort isn’t only in the words themselves but in the “why.” Why was it that Jesus Wept?

These famous and simple words are in the context of Jesus’ friend Lazarus’ death. The full story is in the 11th chapter of John. Without looking closer we might think that Jesus was crying at the death of his friend Lazarus. That’s not the case though. Jesus, having heard that Lazarus was sick, didn’t go to heal him but He told His disciples that it would not “end in death.” Of course, when we read the story, we see that Lazarus actually does die. Jesus didn’t say Lazarus wouldn’t

die. He said that it wouldn’t “end in death”. Jesus knew what was going to happen before it did. Unlike us, he knows what the future holds. He knew Lazarus would be raised from the dead. He knew God would be glorified. Still, “Jesus wept.”

So, why was it that “Jesus Wept?” Here’s why: He was moved by the sorrow of those He loved and He wept alongside them. And interestingly, this particular Greek word translated as “wept” means to shed tears. He shed tears with them simply because they were sad. There are times when we need exactly that, don’t we? Someone to just be there and shed tears with us as we shed tears. If you’ve experienced grief of any kind, you know it is true. There often just aren’t words to say. What makes the difference is having someone to share the pain. Jesus is always that someone. Even when no one else understands. He does. He shares our pain with us. He hurts when we hurt.

When Jesus finds Mary weeping and her friends and family weeping with her, He is moved to tears. Simply because they are hurting. Not only does Jesus promise that our future is certain but He also shares in our difficulty right now. He is compassionate toward us. He feels what we feel. The Psalmist writes: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Ps 56:8 NLT) He knows every difficulty we go through and, because He loves us, He feels our pain. The God of the universe sheds tears with us.

There will come a time when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain” (Rev 21:4) I hold on to that promise and it fills me with great joy. But today, right now, joy can be found as well. Even in the most difficult time. There is joy in knowing that Jesus weeps with me when I weep.

So, here’s your memory verse for today’s class: “Jesus Wept.”

Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word and has led Sunday School, Bible Studies, and Small Groups of all ages. He has served as a supply preacher and has been a lead speaker and seminar leader at Couples Retreats, Men’s Retreats, and Family and Youth Camps. David’s first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. “What Do I Say When Asked about Jesus?” gives the average Christian tools to help share about Jesus while increasing confidence in their own faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters.  To read more of David’s writing visit his Substack page.

Feature Image by sarah blocksidge from Pixabay