Sermon Central
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Where Is God When You Need Him?
Contributed by James Lowe on Oct 14, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: Sometimes people go through trials that are severe they may question where God is.
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Where is God when you need him?
Psalm 42:3 “My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, where is thy God?”
This was a very low point in David’s life.
It is the cry of a man far removed from the outward ordinances and worship of God, sighing for the long loved house of his God;
And at the same time it is the voice of a spiritual believer, under depressions, longing for the renewal of the divine presence, struggling with doubts and fears, but yet holding his ground by faith in the living God.
It is probable that David was on his flight from Absalom at this time in his life.
Absalom had led a revolt against his father King David causing him to flea for his life.
Here the great King, the mighty warrior, the successful patriot, exiled from his kingdom and no where to turn.
He longs for the house of God. He desires to feel the presence of God with him, but God seems to be no where around.
Then those around him began to ask, “Where is thy God?” They were insinuating that God had left him and no longer heard his prayers.
Then David began to reflect on days gone by. He seems to be saying,
"I sigh to think of happier days when thou, O God was nigh, when every heart was tuned to praise; And none more blest than I."
Verse 4 says, “When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.”
David remembers the days when he went with the multitude to the house of God. He recalls vividly the voices of praise and joy that was heard.
But now they say, “Where is your God now?”
“Where is your God when you need Him?”
Job felt isolated from God. In reading about Job we learn that he was a man of integrity whose trust was in God. His ways were perfect. His life was above reproach. There was no incriminating evidence found in his life.
Yet in just a few short hours he was reduced from a wealthy man to a poor miserable creature who lost everything he had.
There he sat in sackcloth and ashes covered with boils from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.
Where is God when you need Him?
There was Joseph, the son of Jacob, who was the apple of his father’s eye. He was part of God’s covenant!
But his jealous brothers sold him as a slave, ended up in Egypt falsely accused and thrown in prison.
Where is the God of the covenant now?
There was Moses whom God sent to Egypt to lead the Israelite slaves out of bondage.
God worked marvelous things and they were set free.
But then they came to the Red Sea. Cornered like an animal in a cage. Pharaoh’s army was behind them, mountains on both sides and the Red Sea in front.
Where is our God, now?
Mary and Martha’s brother was deathly sick so they sent word to Jesus that He may come heal him.
Jesus didn’t come when they expected him. Lazarus died and was buried.
Why didn’t Jesus come? Where is he? I thought he loved us!
The disciples were in a storm in the midst of a raging sea. Just a while earlier they were on the shore having fellowship with Jesus.
But Jesus constrained them to get in the ship and sail to the other side of the sea.
But now a storm is raging. The winds are blowing. The waves are coming over into the ship!
Where is Jesus now? Does he not care that we perish in this storm? Where is he?
Has there ever been a time in your life when you said, “Where is God?”
I’ve always trusted him. I’ve always been faithful? I’ve paid my tithes and have given of my time and talents.
Then you recall the times in your life when God was blessing you, and you bragged on how good God was, and how faithful he was to you.
You testified about how God met your needs, healed your body, delivered you from harm’s way, and a host of other things.
Now the devil says, “Where is your God now?”
Now you are in this mess. Now you are in this trial. Now you don’t have the money to pay your bills. Now you are facing troubles like you have never seen.
Where is your God now? Where is he? Has he forsaken you? Has he forgotten about you?
