“Where is God when I need Him?” “How could God allow this tragedy to happen?” These age-old questions have been asked countless times.
Have you ever asked this question? I have. Most of the time this question is not asking for the location of God. That question, though complex, is easy to answer with Scripture. Positionally, God is in Heaven on His Throne.
Psalm115:2–3 “Whereforeshouldtheheathensay,Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”
Relationally, He is in the hearts of believers.
Ephesians3:17 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,” Practically, He is omnipresent; everywhere at the same time. Jeremiah23:24 “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.”
“God never promised a life on Earth without trouble. He promised to be with us whatever we go through. Expect trials and tribulations in this life and expect our Lord to see you through them all with grace. He is sufficient! ”
Usually, this question has a deeper meaning. When mankind is hurting, struggling, tempted, or tested, the natural response is to ask “Where is God?” “Where is God when I need Him?” “How could God allow this to happen?” These age-old questions have been asked countless times.
I vividly remember the morning of September 11, 2001. The terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City shocked America to its core. A previously unknown feeling of vulnerability and insecurity swept over the country. People began to ask, “Where is God?” Business signs changed to acknowledgments of God and America’s need for His Help. I even saw a bar that was well-known for its wickedness change its marque to “America Needs God.” and later “God, please bless America.” It is a natural reaction to turn to God in times of trouble. That’s the way God made us.
We must realize that most people put God in an impossible position. They tell Him to leave them alone and let them live their lives as they choose. They don’t want the Bible, preaching, or church. They don’t want to be reminded of God’s holiness, morality, and judgment. They complain that God is too controlling. Then when something bad happens, they question how a loving God could have left them alone. Why didn’t He control the situation? See the problem? These people blame God no matter what He does.
Let God be God. With His leadership comes His protection and provision. Submit to Him daily and trust Him to work out the details of life. This doesn’t mean that a Christian will not experience trials and testing. We live in a sin-cursed world. We are sinners living in a world full of sinners. God gave mankind free will. Some will use their free will to hurt themselves and others. We can’t enjoy the free will God gave us while being upset that He gave it to others as well.
“Spending time in prayer and Bible study with a surrendered spirit enables us to sense God’s presence and power in our lives.“
God never promised a life on Earth without trouble. He promised to be with us whatever we go through. Expect trials and tribulations in this life and expect our Lord to see you through them all with grace. He is sufficient! Our weakness allows God to show His strength. Each new trial affords a new opportunity for God’s power and presence. Don’t waste your suffering. Give it to God. He will bring good out of it.
Here are four truths that will help you when you ask, “Where is God?”
God is watching.
Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good.”
God knows what is going on in your life and the world. There is nothing hidden from Him. He knows you better than you know yourself. He counts the hairs on your head and knows the thoughts of your heart.
God is Waiting.
Isaiah 30:18 “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, And therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: For the LORD is a God of judgment: Blessed are all they that wait for him.” The Scripture is clear that we are commanded to wait upon the LORD. Don’t get ahead of Him. Don’t act hastily because you think He isn’t moving fast enough. That never works out well. Perhaps He is waiting to bring Himself more glory. Maybe he delays to bring you more blessings. You don’t need to know why. Wait on the Lord. Trust His timing.
Sometimes God is waiting on us before He acts. He waits for the lost to believe. He waits on the backslider to repent. He waits for His children to obey. He waits for sin to be confessed and forsaken. He waits for His promises to be believed. If you don’t sense the presence of God or don’t understand why He isn’t working, confirm that He isn’t waiting for you!
God is Working.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God never stops working for His Kingdom and glory. Don’t doubt His working when you don’t recognize it. Trust God! When you can’t trace His hand, you can trust His heart. God loves to work in the background and come through in a glorious show of His power.
“Trust God! When you can’t trace His hand, you can trust His heart. God loves to work in the background and come through in a glorious show of His power.”
God is With You.
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” What a promise to every believer! There will be times when God is so real to you that you feel like you could reach out and touch Him. Other times you will feel like He has forgotten you. Don’t trust your feelings. Trust His Word. He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you! Today, live like the Almighty God is with you… because He is!