Where is God Without a doubt, at some point in our lives, we have all felt deserted by God. We felt as if we had the weight of the world on our shoulders and there was no end in sight to our troubles. In our call to worship this morning, we picked up with verse 2 of Psalm 22. The first verse is one that was uttered by Jesus as He was suspended between heaven and earth on the cross: My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? (Psalm 22:1 NASB). The incarnate God was nailed to the cross and was suffering intense agony. In the final minutes of His life, on that Friday afternoon, Jesus was seeking God. For the most part, we often do not think of Jesus suffering except when we picture that Friday afternoon. If we were to really read through the gospels, we might see that He was often in prayer. There is every indication that Jesus took all of the disappointments, all of the rejections, and all of the outright rude behavior to God. If we fail to see any other lesson this morning, we need to see that Jesus cried out to God with His concerns and even His feelings of isolation. We all are aware of Job. He lost everything. His children were killed. His livestock plundered and destroyed. He literally lost the things most of us hold dear. We know how Job reacted to the loss: Naked I came from my mother s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:21 NASB) The next verse tells us: Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. (Job 1:22 NASB) Job lost his health and his wife suggested that he curse God and die. His friends were of little to no help. Yet, Job did not sin against God nor did he curse God. When we read in the 23 rd chapter of Job, we see that Job, like Jesus, felt alone. He 1
wanted to face God and discuss the situation. He wondered Where is God? As we read this section of scripture, notice that Job wanted to reason with God. He was not looking to point an accusing finger and castigate God for allowing his misfortune. Let s read Job 23:2-10. Even today my complaint is rebellion; His hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come to His seat! I would present my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn the words which He would answer (Lit. answer me), and perceive what He would say to me. Would He contend with me by the greatness of His power? No, surely, He would pay attention to me. There the upright would reason with Him; and I would be delivered forever from my Judge. Behold, I go forward but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; when He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:2-10 NASB) Job is confident that he could stand before God and plead his case. He also knows that: when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job cannot find God. His faith is that God will ultimately rectify all of the harm done to Job. Yet, he cannot find God. Behold, I go forward but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; when He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him. Where is God? Job could not find Him. Job still held his faith that God would judge him and he (Job) would come forth as gold. 2
Job also knew that while he could not see God, while he looked for God and could not find Him, he knew that God knew everything that Job did. But He knows the way I take. Later, in the 11 th and 12 th verses, we learn that Job did not allow his inability to find God interfere with his following God. My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23:11-12 NASB) Here is another lesson for us. While Job was asking Where is God? He never left the path of God. He never quit on God. The writer of Hebrews speaks of a high priest that is all seeing, all knowing, and, perhaps, most importantly, sympathetic. Let s read Hebrews 4:12-16. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any twoedged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:12-16 NASB) 3
Job realized that while he could not see God, God knew every move he made. God could in essence, see every detail even: soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Job also knew that he was safe to come before God to talk with Him about the troubles. In our passage from Hebrews, we are encouraged to come before God especially in the bad times. Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. We are told many times to trust God enough to give him our problems. David wrote in the 55 th Psalm the following instruction and assurance: Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22 NASB) David s advise is echoed in 1 Peter the 5 th chapter. Here, the apostle Peter again directs us to give it to God. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB) Our ability to take everything to God and just hand it over is directly proportional to our faith. You have heard me mention the John Wayne theology where we say to God through our actions: I got this God, I don t need you right now. Sometimes, the times when we ask Where is God? are the times we lack faith in God. However, we can never hope to find God or find God s acceptance of us without faith. Hebrews 11:1 gives us the definition of faith. 4
Now faith is the assurance of things (OR substance) hoped (or expected) for, the conviction of things (or evidence) not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 NASB) Once the writer of Hebrews first defines faith, he then he lists a couple of examples naming Abel and Enoch. Within the 11 th chapter, we are told about the importance of faith. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6 NASB) Faith is one of the casualties of maturing. We first have faith in our parents, then our teachers, then our employers. In each case, we learn that each of them are human and therefore our faith begins to erode. Next, we gravitate toward material things and somehow, money becomes the object of our trust or faith. Long before Madonna told us that we are living in a Material World. Jesus shared the same idea. In Mark the 10 th chapter, we meet a young man whom we have come to know as the rich young ruler. He asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life? Jesus points him toward the various commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not steal, etc. The young man told Jesus that he had kept all of these commandments. In verses 20 and 21, we find Jesus answer. Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up. Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. (Mark 10:20-21 NASB) We know that the young man was saddened and left. 5
And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! (Mark 10:23 NASB) Why would Jesus say such a thing? Easy! Most of us place our faith and trust in our material goods. In doing this, we have replaced God with material wealth as our god. We then have other gods before Jehovah God. Our wealth has become the object of our faith. This drives a wedge between us and God. Then we wonder Where is God? There is a simple answer. We find it in Jeremiah 29: 12-13 and James 4:8. First, Jeremiah tells us: Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13 NASB) Next, James offers a short sentence that sums it up. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8 NASB) Where is God? Are we seeking Him with all our heart? As we wrap up this morning, let s consider these points: There are times when we can t find God. Even Jesus cried out to God when He felt isolated and alone. (We re in good company.) While Job was asking Where is God? He never left the path of God. He never quit on God. (Not knowing where God is does not always mean we are at fault.) It is safe to take our cares, concerns, and problems to God. (He loves us.) We cannot hope for God s help while we refuse to trust (have faith) in Him. Return to Him and He will be found. (If we have left God, it is not too late to return.) 6
Where is God? Is He near to you this morning? 7