Day #15: Monday, January 18th

When It Seems He Is Hiding

Scripture References: Heb. 13:5, Deut. 31:8, Ps. 37:28, John 14:16-18

Devotional

I will wait for the Lord to help us, though (it seems) He is hiding now. My only hope is in Him." (Isaiah 8:17)

It is easy to worship God when things are going well in your life but what do you do when circumstances are not so pleasant?  What do you do when God seems a million miles away like the words of Isaiah portray?  Know this, that the deepest level of worship is thanking God during a trial, trusting him when tempted, and loving him even when He seems distant.  

Besides Jesus, David probably had the closest friendship with God of anyone, God calling him “a man after my own heart.” Yet David frequently complained of God’s apparent absence saying,

Lord, why are you standing aloof and far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most?" (Ps. 10:1). 

Although God has promised repeatedly, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," (Heb. 13:5). 

He has not promised that you would always feel his presence.  How can we “keep the faith” when God appears to be missing-in-action in our life?

God wants us to sense His presence, but is more concerned that we trust Him than that we feel him.  Remember that it is faith, not feelings, that pleases God.  First of all, regardless of circumstances and how you feel, hang on to God’s unchanging character and nature.  Remind yourself of what you know to be eternally true about God:  He is good, He loves me, and He has a good plan for my life.  Even when Job’s life fell apart, Job found things he could praise God for.

• He is good and loving. (Job 10:12)
• He is all-powerful. (Job 42:2)
• He notices every detail of our lives. (Job 23:10)
• He is in control.  (Job 34:13)
• He has a plan for my life. (Job 23:14)
• He will save me.  (Job 19:25)

Secondly, trust God to keep His promises.  It is during spiritually dry times that you must rely on the promises of God rather than your emotions.  Even in the absence of confirming circumstances, Job held on to God’s Word saying, “I have not departed from the commands of His lips;  I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.” (Job 23:12).  When you weather the feelings of abandonment, yet continue to trust God, you are worshipping God in the deepest way.  This is the essence of faith and as the scripture says, the just shall live by faith.  Hang onto the faithfulness of God, knowing that He has never left you despite how you may feel.

Prayer

Lord, despite what is going on in my life, I trust you.
Just because I endure hard times does not mean that you’ve left me.
Thank you for promising to never leave me.
Despite what I may or may not feel, I know that you are with me.
I know your nature and character.
I see it in the Bible and I have experienced it myself.
So, I choose to focus on your goodness rather than my struggles.
In Jesus’ Name.