In this sermon, Pastor David addresses the common experience of God feeling distant during difficult times. Using Psalm 13 as his foundation, he shares how David's lament resonated with him during his own struggles after Hurricane Katrina disrupted his college education. Pastor David introduces John Ortberg's concept of "the dark night of the soul" – periods when God seems absent during our suffering, not because we've moved away from God, but because God has intentionally stepped back.The sermon emphasizes that these periods of divine distance serve a purpose in our spiritual formation. Rather than simply praying for the suffering to end, Pastor David suggests asking, "God, who do you want me to become in the midst of this?" He explains how God used David's suffering – whether being hunted by Saul or his son Absalom – to form him into the king and father he needed to become. The appropriate response during these dark nights is to wait faithfully on the Lord, trusting His purpose even when He feels absent.We invite you to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/faithmcrichmondtx