When God Goes Missing
Job 23:8-11 “If I go to the east, God is not there. If I go to the west, I still don’t see him. When he is working in the north, I don’t see him. When he turns to the south, I still don’t see him. But God knows me. He is testing me and will see that I am as pure as gold. I have always lived the way God wants. I have never stopped following him.
We all have days when God appears to go missing from our lives. In theory you may well believe that He never leaves you or forsakes you. But in practice … well, where is He? Why do I feel so alone in this world?
It may seem crazy to you that I, a Bible teacher, would tell you that it happens to me too. Surely Berni, you have a close walk with God every day.
But let me say very directly this “God appears to have gone missing” thing happens to me too sometimes. It’s a universal experience. Of course God is still here in this place with you and me. That’s His promise.
But at the same time, He does take a step back every now and then in our conscious experience, leaving us with the feeling that we’re all alone. Job in the Old Testament was so heavily afflicted. So much pain and disaster was heaped on his life. And it’s in those difficult times that we feel so incredibly isolated. Here’s how Job puts it:
Job 23:8-11 “If I go to the east, God is not there. If I go to the west, I still don’t see him. When he is working in the north, I don’t see him. When he turns to the south, I still don’t see him. But God knows me. He is testing me and will see that I am as pure as gold. I have always lived the way God wants. I have never stopped following him.
Why does God take that step back from time to time? To test us, to make sure that we’re pure as gold. Never stop following Him. Even when you don’t see Him, He’s right there with you.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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