Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
Psalm 10:1 NIV
Where is God in this mess?
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All of us are affected by crisis right now. Riots have erupted across America. Senseless acts of murder and violence have occurred. A pandemic is still taking victims and affecting all ways of life. Economies have been shaken.
People are divided, hurting, angry, confused and weary. It seems like the whole world is in chaos.
Where is God? Does he even care?
People are divided, hurting, angry, confused and weary. It seems like the whole world is in chaos.
Where is God? Does he even care?
This is a fair question. The psalmist asks it in Psalm 10, a psalm of lament.
Many giants of faith have come to this same "wall," as Pete Scazzero writes in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. It's also been called "the dark night of the soul." It's when your faith is shaken to the core, and you must decide what you truly believe.
God welcomes this question. But he doesn't want us to park ourselves on the question too long, since it can lead us down a path of doubt and eventually disbelief.
Instead, he wants us to cry out to him with honest prayers and grief. Then he wants us to seek his Word for the truth.
I encourage you to meditate on the entire 18 verses of Psalm 10. The psalmist's words are refreshingly relevant for what's going on today.
Instead, he wants us to cry out to him with honest prayers and grief. Then he wants us to seek his Word for the truth.
I encourage you to meditate on the entire 18 verses of Psalm 10. The psalmist's words are refreshingly relevant for what's going on today.
Let's look at more Bible verses for the truth about where God is:
Our Heavenly Father is watching over the trouble of the afflicted (Ps. 10:14) and listening to their cries (Ps. 10:17).
He is seated on a glorious throne in heaven, being worshiped by many angels (Isa. 6, Rev. 4).
He is hiding us in the shadow of his wings (Ps. 17:8, 36:7) and covering us with his feathers (Ps. 91:4).
He is tracking your sorrows, collecting your tears, and recording your hurts (Ps. 56:8 NLT).
He is caring for you (Nahum 1:7, 1 Pet. 5:7).
He is preparing to judge the whole world (Ps. 96:13, Rev. 20:12-13).
Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven (Luke 22:69, Eph. 1:20).
He is preparing a place for us in heaven (John 14:2).
He is holding all things together (Col. 1:17).
He is interceding on our behalf (Heb. 7:25).
He is in our presence when two or three gather in his name (Matt. 18:20).
The Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of all true believers (Rom. 8:9, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, Gal. 4:6, Eph. 1:13).
He is interceding for us in wordless groans (Rom. 8:26-27).
He is guiding us into all truth (John 16:13) and governing our minds (Rom. 8:6).
He is searching our hearts (Rom. 8:27, 1 Cor. 2:10).
He is inviting you to take the free gift of the water of life (Rev. 22:17).
These facts about God apply no matter what is going on in our lives. They are comforting truths for believers, but the hope of these promises is only for those who truly believe.
If you're struggling to trust that God is good and he is there for you, don't turn away from him. He is holding out his right hand to you, a hand of blessing, power and protection (Ps. 18:16, 73:23, 139:10).
Let the one true God hold you securely in this time of crisis. Trust him in this mess, and you'll have stronger faith on the other side.
Father
Our Heavenly Father is watching over the trouble of the afflicted (Ps. 10:14) and listening to their cries (Ps. 10:17).
He is seated on a glorious throne in heaven, being worshiped by many angels (Isa. 6, Rev. 4).
He is hiding us in the shadow of his wings (Ps. 17:8, 36:7) and covering us with his feathers (Ps. 91:4).
He is tracking your sorrows, collecting your tears, and recording your hurts (Ps. 56:8 NLT).
He is caring for you (Nahum 1:7, 1 Pet. 5:7).
He is preparing to judge the whole world (Ps. 96:13, Rev. 20:12-13).
Son
Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven (Luke 22:69, Eph. 1:20).
He is preparing a place for us in heaven (John 14:2).
He is holding all things together (Col. 1:17).
He is interceding on our behalf (Heb. 7:25).
He is in our presence when two or three gather in his name (Matt. 18:20).
Spirit
The Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of all true believers (Rom. 8:9, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, Gal. 4:6, Eph. 1:13).
He is interceding for us in wordless groans (Rom. 8:26-27).
He is guiding us into all truth (John 16:13) and governing our minds (Rom. 8:6).
He is searching our hearts (Rom. 8:27, 1 Cor. 2:10).
He is inviting you to take the free gift of the water of life (Rev. 22:17).
These facts about God apply no matter what is going on in our lives. They are comforting truths for believers, but the hope of these promises is only for those who truly believe.
If you're struggling to trust that God is good and he is there for you, don't turn away from him. He is holding out his right hand to you, a hand of blessing, power and protection (Ps. 18:16, 73:23, 139:10).
Let the one true God hold you securely in this time of crisis. Trust him in this mess, and you'll have stronger faith on the other side.
Questions for you:
In which area are you struggling to trust God most?
Which truth about God's presence brings you the most comfort?
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings and God's peace to you,
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All scriptures NIV unless indicated. Thanks to BibleGateway.com for easy scripture navigation!
Sarah - I really enjoyed this piece. It was a great blessing to read and was encouraged. God is using you in mighty ways and it is honor to walk with you in your writing journey. Hugs! D
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, D! Blessings to you, friend.
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