Disconnected From God

Text: Psalm 51:10

March 30th, 2008

Disconnected

Have you ever felt disconnected from God? Have you ever wondered if He was really there? Have you felt lost, alone and wondered if God was really listening? Why is it that if God desires a relationship with us so badly that it can seem so hard to connect with Him? Have you ever wondered if God really cares at all? If He really wants you? Have you ever felt like you were searching and searching for God but couldn’t find Him? Like you were desperately seeking Him but that He was no where to be found? Have you ever felt disconnected from God?

If you would open your Bibles to Psalm 22. When you feel isolated and lost, you are not alone. Everyone has felt this way. Some of us feel it right now. We all feel disconnected at some point. We all feel like we are lost in this world trying to find our place. The truth is when you are lost, you are in good company.

Think about Noah. The world had become corrupt and wicked and Noah alone found favor in God’s sight. As Noah built his ark don’t you think there were times where he felt lost? It may have taken up to 100 years to build this enormous boat. Don’t you think there were times where he was unsure? While all the people he knew thought he was crazy. While everyone mocked and ridiculed him don’t you think there were times when he questioned…when he felt alone. Don’t you think there was probably a time when Noah felt a little bit disconnected?

Think about Abraham? He was called by God to leave his home and go to a strange land far away. He lived as a hermit in tents not knowing where he was going. As he traveled through this strange country don’t you think Abraham felt lost…felt alone from time to time. He was moving away from his home and everyone he knew because God had called him to do so. Certainly there were times in Abraham’s life where he felt lost and alone. God had promised Abraham that he would have many descendents but at that time Abraham had no children. Don’t you think there were times when Abraham wondered? Don’t you think there were times that he worried God had forgotten about him? Don’t you think Abraham at some point felt disconnected from God?

Or what about Joseph? He was Jacob’s favorite son. Joseph had a dream that he would rule over his brothers. Instead he found himself sold into slavery in the land of Egypt. Certainly this did not seem like God’s plan. Having been sold into slavery Joseph might have felt a little lost, a little disconnected. He ends up working for a man named Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce him but Joseph leaves. As a result of which he is thrown into prison. He did the right thing and was punished for it. Certainly at this point while rotting away in an Egyptian jail Joseph would have started to feel a bit lost. He might start to wonder if God was really going to take care of him, if God was really looking out for him. Joseph had done nothing wrong yet he had been sold as a slave by his brothers and imprisoned because he was faithful and would not sleep with his master’s wife. Certainly Joseph felt lost. Certainly he felt alone. Can you imagine sitting in a cold dark damp prison having done nothing wrong? Can you imagine what Joseph might start thinking? God, what did I do to deserve this? Why are you so angry with me? Why do you punish me so? I imagine there were many times in Joseph’s life where he felt disconnected.

You see you are not the first person to feel out of touch. You are not the first person to feel like you don’t belong, like something isn’t right. You are not the first person to feel alone…and when you feel alone, sometimes it helps just to know that there are others who feel the same way. We all have times in our lives where we feel disconnected from God. We all have times where we wonder if He is really listening. Everyone has fears, everyone has doubts, everyone at some point, feels lost and alone. Let’s look at Psalm 22.

Ps 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Ps 22:2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. Ps 22:3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. Ps 22:4 In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. Ps 22:5 They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. Ps 22:6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. Ps 22:7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: Ps 22:8 “He trusts in the LORD? let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Ps 22:9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast. Ps 22:10 From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Ps 22:11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Ps 22:12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Ps 22:13 Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me. Ps 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. Ps 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Ps 22:16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. Ps 22:17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. Ps 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. Ps 22:19 But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.