Alone in the room, Samuel’s mind turned against him. He imagined Sasha frightened, Nathan crying, the congregation scattered, Jehovah silent.

Despair is convincing when fed without resistance.

By the time another officer entered, Samuel no longer looked like a man standing on faith. He looked hollowed out by conclusions he had no basis to make.

He had confused the absence of visible help with the absence of Jehovah.

They were not the same.