WHERE IS GOD?
Psalm 115:1-3
(Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday, September 18th, 2025)
“Where is God?” That is a question that has been asked throughout the ages. In the midst of great tragedy, inevitably people will ask “Where is God?” They want to know: “Where is God in times of famine?” “Where is God in times of war?” “Where is God when natural disasters occur and thousands of people lose their lives?” It is somewhat understandable for people to ask: “where was God when 6 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust?” or “where was God on September 11th, 2001?” Even as Christians we may ask “Where is God when multiple innocent children are killed in those far too common school shootings?” Interestingly, those who claim to not believe in God are the first to blame Him when tragedy strikes.
In our selected text the Psalmist asks the Lord a very pointed question, he says, “Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Israel had recently endured some difficulties and their enemies were taunting them for their hope in God.
As a Christian, there will be times when you face extreme troubles and trials; in such times it is almost inevitable that someone, maybe an unbelieving friend, family member, or a co-worker will ask the question, “where is your God?” This is because those who do not know 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 understand the hope that others have when they are enduring great trials. I hope that you will give me the opportunity to show you where the Christian’s hope comes from. I want us to take a journey through the Bibe and allow the Holy Scriptures to answer the question “Where Is God?”
- I would like to begin in Mark 4:37-39 and submit to you that:
OUR GOD IS IN THE EYE OF THE STORM
Jesus and the Disciples were in a ship crossing the Sea of Galilee. A great storm arose, the wind blew, the waves crashed, and the ship began to fill with water. Greatly afraid, the Disciples went to Jesus and woke Him up. In response, “He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39).
The Disciples learned an important lesson that we must comprehend as well; Jesus is with us in the midst of life’s greatest storms. When He chooses, He has the power to calm the storm.
I know that many of you are in the midst of your own personal storm today. For some, the doctor has given you some bad news. Others are enduring marital struggles and it may even seem that divorce is inevitable. For others, things at work are extremely difficult. Even worse, some of you are currently unemployed. Many of those who are gainfully employed are struggling to pay your bills. Some have rebellious children and you lose sleep at night worrying about their future.
Though many of our lives are filled with uncertainty, we are able to deal with the troubles and struggles of this life with great confidence and assurance. We know that no matter what happens we belong to Jesus. Even when the winds are blowing and the waves are crashing in, our hope and trust is in Him. In spite of life’s distractions and disturbances we remain focused on the Lord! Through the scriptures we learn that there is a reason for the storms of life and we have peace because Jesus is our refuge in the storm.
Quite often when we face difficult circumstances we will encounter people who simply cannot understand the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Maybe they mock your faith. Perhaps they ridicule you for trusting in the Lord. They may even ask, “where is your God?” When troubles surround you and the world asks you "where is your God", you can confidently say OUR GOD IS IN THE EYE OF THE STORM.
- As we move further in the scriptures we will see that:
OUR GOD IS ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN
In Genesis 22 God tested Abraham's faith. He told Abraham to go to a specific mountain and sacrifice his son Isaac. 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. It was then that the Angel of the Lord called out to him and said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son” (Genesis 22:12-13).For Abraham to experience this mighty move of God, he had to be obedient and follow the Lord’s command and ascend the mountain.
Perhaps the Lord is testing your faith as we speak. Maybe He is calling you into the ministry as a preacher, pastor, or a missionary. It could be that He is prompting you to participate in a short-term mission project. Maybe He is leading you to volunteer for a place of service within this church. Perhaps He has placed a burden on your heart to witness of a neighbor, friend, or coworker. Whatever the specific task, God is calling some of you to step out of your comfort zone. He is testing your faith. He has told you what to do and He wants you to trust that He will enable you to accomplish the task He has assigned.
It is possible that when you step out on faith and obey God’s call on your life there will be some people who think you are crazy. They will tell you that you can’t do it, they will tell you that you shouldn’t do it, or they may try to convince you that it is not worth the risk. It is important for you to remember that the One who called you will enable and empower you!
There are others here who stepped out on faith in the past. You heard God’s call, trusted His Word, obeyed His command, went where He said go, and did what He said to do. Now, looking back, things haven't turned out like you expected.
It is possible that there are some people who constantly criticize you. They look at your circumstances and ask, “If God really called you to do this task for Him, why are you not seeing results?" They ponder, “What are the benefits of you sacrificing all that you have sacrifices to serve the Lord?” In those times when people ask, “Where Is your God" you can confidently say, He is on top of the mountain!
The Lord did not stop Abraham from sacrificing Isaac until the very last minute. But God knew every step of obedience that Abraham took and He blessed him for it. Likewise, God sees your obedience, He sees your faithfulness and trust in Him. When the time is right, He will provide for you as well! Remember where your help comes from. Lift up your eyes to the Lord and remember that "OUR GOD 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:
OUR GOD IS IN THE HEART OF THE FIRE
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. In response, the King commanded that the furnace be heated seven 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. “King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:24-25).The king then called unto Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and they came out of the fire unharmed.
Christian opposition and persecution is rapidly increasing here in America. Society is spiraling out of control, what God says is wrong is considered by most to be right; what God calls right and holy the majority calls insensitive and offensive. We (Christians) are constantly put in a position where we have to take stands that are unpopular to say the least. When we live by the standards set forth in God’s Word and refuse to compromise we will be called insensitive, politically incorrect, bigots and religious zealots. When the time comes and you take a stand for Jesus, in times when you are vehemently opposed and when you are persecuted for your faith, and the people of this world ask you "where is your God”, you can tell them "OUR GOD IS IN THE HEART OF THE FIRE!”
- As we move further I would like to draw your attention to Psalm 23, it is there that we learn that:
OUR GOD IS IN THE DEEPEST OF VALLEYS
In Psalm 23:4 David says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Psalmist declares 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 deepest and darkest of valleys 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 so much 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. As Christians we "do not sorrow as those with no hope". With that being said, it is still extremely difficult to say goodbye to those whom we love. Our hearts still break, and we still mourn and grieve over the loss of our loved ones. Christians are not immune to death. If you go to Children's hospital you will find Christian parents kneeling and praying by the bedside of their child who is dying from cancer. If you go to the local hospital you will 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 refuses 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. 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 VALLEYS”.
Where is God? He is in the eye of the storm, He is on 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:
OUR GOD IS IN THE WHISPER OF THE WIND
In first Kings 19 Elijah had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. He prayed fire down from Heaven on the top of Mt. Carmel, after this he slew four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, then wicked Jezebel sent word that she was going to kill him. That mighty prophet fled an entire day’s journey into the wilderness, sat down under a juniper tree, and asked God to kill Him! After some time Elijah witnessed something amazing on top of a mountain. “…behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke 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 the sound of a low whisper” (I Kings 19:11-12).
The Bible says that God was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the 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 same “sound of a low whisper”.
I am certain that many of you are enduring difficult circumstances today. You may be discouraged and facing great uncertainty. In these times, if you will spend time in God’s Word He will speak to you in that still small voice.
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 that says, “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Maybe there are times when you feel alone and you hear Jesus whisper - "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Perhaps you are in need of comfort and you Jesus whisper "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you"(John 14:18).
The world may see your struggles but they don't hear the whisper, and because of this they may ask "where is your God"; when they do, you can 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 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
He’s On The Top Of My Mountain
The Lowest Of My Valleys
Where Is God?
He's Everywhere I Go
(Song: “Where Is God?: By Gold City; Album: Pillars Of Faith)
Are you able to make such a proclamation? Do you know where God is? Do you have a relationship with Him? If not, I would love the opportunity to introduce you to Him. Once you put your trust in Him, you can have the assurance that He will be with you everywhere you go!
If you belong to the Lord, no matter the circumstance or situation, whenever people question your faith and ponder your trust in the unseen God, when they ask you where He is, you can echo the words of King David and say, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”
