Where Is God?
Psalms 115:1-3
Where is God? That is a question that has been asked throughout the ages. Anytime there is a great tragedy people will ask...Where is God? Where is God in times of famine? Where is God in times of war? Where is God in when earthquakes and Tsunamis kill hundreds of thousands of people? People ask... Where was God when 6 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust? Where was God when 20 children were killed at Sandy Hook elementary school? Where was God during the Paris terror attacks? Where was God on 9/11? I find it strange that often those who claim to not believe in God are the first to blame Him when tragedy strikes.
As we consider our selected text David asks the Lord a question. He says "why should the heathen say, where is their God?". Apparently Israel had endured some difficult times. Now their enemies were taunting them for their hope in God.
If you profess to be a follower of Christ and you find yourself in troublesome times, it is almost a guarantee that you will encounter someone... perhaps a friend, family member or co-worker who will ask the question "Where is your God"? Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus cannot comprehend the peace that we possess even in times of great difficulty.
Maybe there is someone here today who does not know the Savior. Maybe you can't grasp the hope that others have when they are enduring great trials. I hope to show you where our hope comes from. I want to take a quick journey through the Bible and answer the question "Where Is God"?
Let's begin in Mark 4:37-39 and see that:
I. HE'S IN THE EYE OF THE STORM - (Mark 4:37-39) - In these verses Jesus and His disciples were in a ship. A great storm arose, the wind blew, the waves crashed and the ship began to fill with water. The disciples were greatly afraid. They went to Jesus and woke Him up. v39 says that "he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
Those men learned a lesson that we need to learn today. Jesus is with us during the storm. When He sees fit, Jesus has the power to calm the storm. Maybe you are in the midst of a great storm today. Perhaps the doctor has given you some bad news. Maybe you have a marriage that seems to be headed for divorce. Things at work aren't going good. Even worse, some of you don't even have job at the moment. Maybe you are dealing with a rebellious child. There are bills that you can't pay. Your life is filled with uncertainty.
But with all that is wrong in your life, you have the proper perspective. You know that no matter what this world throws your way that you are child of God. You know that you belong to Jesus. And though the winds are blowing and the waves are crashing in, you are focused on the Lord. You know that your hope and trust is in Him. You know that there is a reason for the storm. You know that you have a refuge in the storm.
But while you are facing these circumstances you encounter people who just don't understand the hope that you have in Jesus. Maybe they mock your faith. They ridicule you for trusting in the Lord to see you through. Perhaps they ask you ...WHERE IS YOUR GOD? When troubles surround you and the world asks you "where is your God"? ...you can tell them He's In The Eye Of The Storm. Remember how the Disciples responded when Jesus rebuked the wind - Matthew 8:27 But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! - Let your critics know that you can trust Jesus to see you through the storm because He has the power to control all of your circumstances! Where Is God...He Is In The Eye Of The Storm!
Moving on we will also see that:
II. HE'S ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN (Genesis 22:11-13) - In Genesis 22 God tested Abraham's faith. The Lord told Abraham to go to a specific mountain. When he arrived he was to sacrifice his son Isaac to the Lord. Obviously this was not an easy task. But Abraham's faith was strong and he obeyed. When he arrived he set things in order and pulled out the knife to sacrifice his precious son. Then the Angel of the Lord called out to him and said - v12 Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
Don't you know that Abraham was glad that The Lord was on the top of the mountain. In order for this to take place Abraham had to be obedient and go to the top of that mountain in the first place.
Maybe God is testing your faith as we speak. Perhaps He is calling you into the ministry as a preacher, pastor or a missionary. Maybe He is dealing with you about participating in a short term mission trip. Maybe He is leading you to start a bible study with your co-workers. Or He has placed a burden on your heart to witness to your neighbor. Could it be that He wants you to step up and take on a certain position within the church?
Whatever the specific task, God is calling some of you to step out of your comfort zone. He is testing your faith. He is telling you what to do and encouraging you to trust Him to make a way. When you take that step of obedience there will be some people who will think that you are crazy! They will tell you that you that you can't do it. They will tell you that you shouldn't do it. They will tell you that it is not worth the risk. You just remember that He Who called you will supply you with what you need.
There are some of you who have stepped out on faith. You were obedient, you went where the Lord said to go. You did what the Lord told you to do. But things haven't turned out like you had planned. Maybe you have some people who are criticizing you. They see your situation and ask "If God really called you to do this task for Him, why are you not seeing results?" They ask "Where is the benefit in you giving up all that you have given up to serve the Lord?" When they look at you and ask "Where Is your God" just tell them that He's On The Top Of The Mountain".
Remember that He did not stop Abraham until the very last minute. But God knew every step of obedience that Abraham took and He blessed him for it! Don't forget that God sees your obedience, He sees your faithfulness and trust in Him. And when the time is right, He will provide for you as well!
Just keep looking up! Remember where your help comes from. Psalms 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. - Lift up your eyes to the Lord and remember that "He Is On Top Of The Mountain"
As we continue our journey to see where the Lord is, let's look to Daniel Chapter 3 and consider that:
III. HE'S IN THE HEART OF THE FIRE (Daniel 3:24-26) - King Nebuchadnezzar erected an idol of gold and commanded all of the people to bow down and worship it. There were 3 Hebrew men who were devoted to the Lord and refused to bow. They were given the opportunity to compromise but they would not. So the King commanded that the furnace be heated 7 times hotter than ever before. He then commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be bound and cast into the fire. After this, Nebuchadnezzar looked in the furnace and was amazed at what he saw. Daniel 3:24 (He asked) his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. - The King called unto Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and they came out of the fire unharmed.
More and more we are seeing Christians persecuted here in America. We still have it pretty good compared to some places in the world but things are rapidly getting worse. Society is spiraling out of control. They call what is wrong right and what is right wrong. We are finding ourselves in more situations where we have to take stands that are unpopular. If we live by the Bible and are obedient to God's Word we are going to have to say no to the things of this world. When we do this we will be called insensitive, politically incorrect, bigots and religious zealots. As a result we may face difficulty and oppression. When this happens there will be some who ask "Where is Your God?" If and when this takes place we can tell them, "He's In The Heart Of The Fire!"
This week Saeed Abedini was released from imprisonment in Iran. Abedini converted to Christianity from Islam and has dedicated his life to furthering the Gospel as a Christian pastor. For the past 3 1/2 years he was imprisoned in Iran for preaching Christ. He was not just held hostage and arrested on false changes. He was separated from his family and suffered great physical harm. I am sure some of his Muslim captors asked him "Where Is Your God?"
When the time comes and you take a stand for Jesus and you are persecuted for your faith...when you face fiery trials and the people of this world ask you "Where Is Your God?" ...you can tell them "He's In The Heart Of The Fire!"
Let's move on and continue to answer the question "Where Is God?". IN Psalm 23 we see that:
IV. HE'S IN THE DEEPST OF VALLEYS- Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
David speaks of the fact that the Lord is our Shepherd... and we are His sheep. A shepherd often has to lead his sheep through some frightening and dangerous places. David realized that even when traveling through the valley of the shadow of death he had no reason to fear. He trusted the Shepherd to lead him and protect him.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. This Good Shepherd loves His sheep enough that He gave His life for them. Though we face dark times and difficult circumstances He is in control. Because of this we can pass through the valleys of this life with assurance and peace!
Perhaps the most difficult valley that we will walk through in this life is losing a loved one. Yes we are Christians and we "do not sorrow as those with no hope". But it is hard to say goodbye to those that we love. We still hurt, we still mourn and grieve over the loss.
As Christians we are not immune to death: You can go to Children's hospital or St. Jude's and find Christian parents who are kneeling and praying by the bedside of their child who is dying from cancer.... You can go to the local hospital and find a Christian wife who is holding the hand of her husband who only has hours left to live.... You can go to the local nursing home and find a Christian husband who refused to leave the side of his bride of 50 years because he knows that soon she will take her last breath.... You can step inside the home of a Christian woman who has spent years caring for her ailing mother and you can see the sorrow in her eyes as each day she realizes that soon she will have to say goodbye. The world looks at us as we cling to the hope we have in Jesus to get us through these valleys and they are quick to say "Where Is Your God?" When they do, we can tell them "He Is In The Deepest Of Valley's"!!
Where Is Our God? He Is In The Eye Of The Strom, He Is On The Top Of The Mountain, He Is In The Heart Of The Fire, He Is In The Deepest Of Valleys and finally we will see that:
V. HE'S IN THE WHISPER OF THE WIND - (1 Kings 19:10-12) - In this chapter, Elijah had been on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. He had been prayed fire down from Heaven up on Mt. Carmel. He then slew 450 prophets of Baal. But then Jezebel sent word that she was going to kill him. Elijah went a days journey into the wilderness. There he sat down under a juniper tree and asked God to take his life from him. Sometime later he was on top of a mountain and he witnessed something amazing. - Verse 11 says " And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
We are told that God was not in the strong wind. He was not in the earthquake. He was not in great fire. The Lord ministered to Elijah during this most difficult time with a simple still small voice. God reached Elijah with a whisper.
God is all powerful and he can do great and mighty things. Sometimes He moves in grand, visible, & outward manifestations. But often His greatest works are done in the secret places of the heart. God reaches us with that still small voice. Maybe you are enduring difficult circumstances today. You are discouraged and facing great uncertainty. In these times, if you will begin to study the Word of God ...He will speak to you in that still small voice. He can reach you with a whisper!
Maybe in your time of trouble you look to the Word and it is there that God whispers to you the truth of - 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.
Maybe there are times when you feel alone and you hear Jesus whisper - "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" - Hebrew 13:5
Maybe you need to be comforted and you hear Jesus whisper - John 14:18 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you".
The world may see your struggles but they don't hear the whisper. And because of this they will ask you "WHERE IS YOUR GOD?" When they do you just tell them... "He Is In The Whisper Of The Wind"!!
In this life there are times when we feel all alone. When we face troubles we my encounter those who question the benefit of our faith. They don't believe in God and they can't comprehend the peace, joy & hope that we possess in Him. There may be times when they look at you and ask "Where Is Your God?" In these times just keep looking to Him and remember that He is everywhere you go!
"He's In The Eye Of My Storm"
"The Bottom Of My Ocean"
"The Morning And The Midnight"
"And Every Wind That Blows"
"On The Top Of My Mountain"
"The Lowest Of My Valleys"
"Where Is God?"
"He's Everywhere I Go"
Can you say that today? Do you know where God is? Do you have a relationship with Him? If not, I would like to introduce you to Him right now! And once you put your trust in Him, you can have the assurance that He will be with you everywhere you go!
