God Is Real, No Matter How I Feel

In looking at Isaiah 8:17 this morning, I read, “The LORD has hidden himself from his people, but I trust him and place my hope in him.” (GNT)

Isaiah decided to wait for the Lord. Patient waiting becomes the most difficult testing I can face. I'm reminded that many of the prophecies God gave through the prophets would not come true for 700 years; others still haven't been fulfilled. Am I willing to accept the Lord's timing and not mine?

It’s easy to worship God when things are going great in life; when he’s provided food, friends, family, health, and happy situations. But circumstances are not always pleasant. How do I worship God then? What do I do when God seems a million miles away?

The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of pain, thanking God during a trial, trusting him when tempted, surrendering while suffering, and loving him when he seems distant.

To mature my friendship, God will test it with periods of seeming separation, times when it seems as if he has abandoned or forgotten me. God feels a million miles away. 

God called King David “a man after my own heart” (see 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22), yet David sometimes complained about God’s apparent absence:

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

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?” (Psalm 22:1 NLT).

“Why have you abandoned me?” (Psalm 43:2 GNT; see also Psalm 44:23; 74:11; 88:14; 89:49).

Of course, God hadn’t really left David, and he’ll never leave you. God has promised repeatedly, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5 GNT).

While it’s ok to ask where he is, I must put my trust that he is there and will do what’s for my best.

In summary, while it may seem that the Lord has hidden himself from me, I need to continue to put my trust and place my hope in him. Patient waiting becomes the most difficult testing I can face. Am I willing to accept the Lord's timing and not mine? It’s easy to worship God when things are going great. But circumstances are not always pleasant. What do I do when God seems a million miles away? The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of pain, thanking God during a trial, trusting him when tempted, surrendering while suffering, and loving him when he seems distant. To mature my friendship, God will test it with periods of seeming separation. While it’s ok to ask where he is, I must put my trust that he is there and will do what’s for my best.

Father, today’s study of your Word and this devotional, help remind me that I need to put my trust in you no matter how long it takes. With the help of the Holy Spirit, may I be reminded of your faithfulness even when it seems nothing is happening to make the situation better. Help remind me to be faithful in the waiting. For you are doing something only you can do through it. I ask you today for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.