Where's God When I Need Him

How often do we ask ourselves the question that is posed in the title of this writing?  Too often I’m sure.  I believe that this question and others like it are concocted by Satan to bombard our minds with untruths, which create feelings of solitude and loneliness in times of trouble.  He would like us to believe that we are walking alone and that God is too busy with the needs of others to hear our plea for help.

Whatever the reason that prevents individuals from putting their faith wholly in God, I cannot say.  As for me, I have learned insight of God’s love through the years that were valuable lessons in humility and meekness. 

God does not limit nor does He withhold any good thing from those that walk uprightly before Him.  His power and divine ability to sustain a person’s state of mind regarding godliness is without end.  There is no lack of commitment on His part to meet the needs of Believers; we need only to trust Him regarding His follow-through.  But feelings of doubt enter in at times, because our timetable is not God’s timetable. 

For the most part, people want things now, and when it does not avail itself, they begin to doubt whether or not God is listening or if He is even present.  It is at these times that trust must be put into action, or Satan, the father of lies, will attack mercilessly.  It is necessary to remember that God’s timing is not bound to our time table.  We have got to give Him a chance to work out the details on our behalf.  He will do so according to His will and purpose.

(1 John 5:14-15), “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears, us.”  vs.15 “And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him”

Mere feelings usually lack substance when a person puts their trust in them rather than what the Bible tells them about the omnipotence of God.  Feelings have no bearing whatsoever when it comes to God’s will and the salvation of souls.  Being delivered from sin by way of God’s grace is not based on feelings; it is when deliverance from sin is accepted by faith.  When we confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead, we are saved.

At the moment of the new-birth-experience when a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord of their life, positive feelings often occur, but are not the criteria of being saved.  The feeling of ecstasy, which is joy and delight, is frequently the result when God’s forgiveness takes place, but it is not essential or compulsory that this happens.  Personalities vary, but God’s promise to deliver individuals from sin never varies, because God is no respecter of person. 

Feelings are not the issue when individuals make up their mind to follow the Lord, but sin forgiven is.  It consists of being set free from the bondage of habits and a life of despondency and hopelessness.  The old nature gives way to an abundant life in Jesus, while old things pass away and all things become new—a new beginning; a new way of life.   

Our relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, is not substantiated via feelings, regardless of whether we sense His presence or not.  The Bible says that He will never leave nor forsake His children.  This is God’s promise to all Born-again Believers.  We are not saved by feelings, but rather by faith in Christ who gave His life on the cross for our sins.

(Hebrews 11:1), “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Others may leave us to weep alone, but the Holy Spirit comes alongside God’s children when doubts and fears arise.  Jesus said that He would send a comforter to us not only in times of questions and anxious moments, but to walk with us every moment of every day.

When it seems that our Heavenly Father has forsaken us when we need Him the most, of which this impression will come at times, stand fast in the knowledge that God desires greater blessings for His children than does our own earthly father.  Take heart, because the Holy Spirit leads us into all truths when we trust Him to do so.

Each of us is amazingly made by God and possesses powerful minds that He created; minds that are strong and creative, yet at times can misinterpret feelings to mean something totally conflicting of what is factual and precise; things that are contradictory to whom God is and what He desires in our life.  For this reason we must guard our mind against opposing thoughts that are contrary to God’s way of thinking. 

Meditating on the following things will prevent strength from waning and hope from fading.

(Philippians 4:8), “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

When we meditate upon these things and keep our mind pure and under subjection, the negative thoughts that Satan generates cannot be heard, because we are resisting his unremitting whispers of doom and gloom.  Feelings do not rule one’s thought process; faith in God does.

(Proverbs 23:7), “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

A person can yield to doubt or choose to stand erect with their head held high, while being clothed in the Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).  It is a choice that every Christian makes, to either resist the temptation to doubt God’s Word or trust the promises therein.  The option they give credence to will ultimately rule their thinking.

A wise person elects to believe, through faith, and walk in God’s might according to Bible truths; having confidence that the Lord is truly concerned about every stage of their Christian development.  An unwise person surrenders their self to the lies of Satan and asks the question, “Where’s God when I need Him?”

To whom we yield our thought process is the one we give power to.  Living within the protection of God’s armor enables Christians to turn the negative questioning of, “Where’s God?” into a positive declaration of, “I trust God!” 

How many times must God prove Himself to those that doubt His presence before trust is established, and they begin to rely upon what the Bible says?  God only knows, but He is long-suffering and patient; wanting only the best for His children.

God cannot lie.  When God says that He will do something, He will always fulfill that promise of what He said He will do.  We need only to believe that He wants to meet our needs according to His riches in glory and then involve Him in all areas of our life.  When we seek His will and leave the situations and circumstances with Him, we are saying by our surrender, “God knows best.”

(Matthew 7:7-11), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  vs.8 “For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  vs.9 “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?”  vs.10 “Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?”  vs.11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

Written by,

Papa Boyd