Sometimes our walk with God can be confusing: Why it is that God, at times, feels closer than my very skin? And other times further than the moon? If you find yourself struggling with God’s existence, there are several arguments for God’s existence. I encourage you to research and understand each argument. This is not an exhaustive list however, but these arguments are very applicable, powerful, and easily understood. They are as follows: The Cosmological Argument, The Ontological Argument, The Moral Argument, The Teleological Argument. All of these are well discussed on reasonablefaith.org.
Accepting that God truly does exist is not hard for most people to grasp. What is hard to accept for most is that he is personal. That he wants to be a part of our everyday lives. Even though we feel like God is absent at times he is omnipresent, meaning everywhere present all the time. In Psalms 137:7-12, King David is reflecting on how there is no escape from God. He is everywhere seeking to guide and teach us. So if God is present everywhere, why is that sometimes we don’t “feel” his presence? One thing we must understand is, if God is everywhere present, seeking to know and be a part of our lives; then it is not Him who is absent. We must not question God’s presence. We must question ourselves.
James tells us that those who draw near to God, God in turn draws near to them. We draw near to God by seeking his wisdom, seeking to be Christ like, and seeking his will. Part of knowing God’s wisdom, person, and will is diving into his word. His word reveals who he is and what he expects of us. It also tells us the effects of sin in our lives. Sin is what separates us from the presence of God. Sin, if not repented of will harden our hearts and make us less sensitive to the Lord’s presence. Is there sin in my life? Am I drawing near to Him?
Other times there may not be any sin that is not repented of and yet we haven’t heard God speak to us personally in a long time. For me personally it feels like He’s not there. The best wisdom I was ever given to the answer of this question was that I was maturing. As we mature in our walks with God, he begins to trust what He’s imparted in us. He no longer has to hold our hands, even though it would be nice for him just to show up and tell us exactly what we should do. He takes pleasure in our growth!
Then there are those times when life hits, and it hits hard! When troubles come and they will come, we can so quickly ask ourselves, “Where was God?” If he is here why did “this” happen? How could he let it happen? Again in James, he tells us to rejoice in our sufferings because our faith is being tested so that we will be mature and perfect.
Hebrews 12 tells us to endure hardship as discipline, because God disciplines those he loves. God allows things to happen in our lives to mold us and shape us. In Romans, Paul says that God works out everything for the good of those who love him. It may not feel like He’s there but he is cheering us on to respond to life His way, because He is working for our good! And sometimes we need to be refined in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10) to remove the impurities in our lives. How amazing in God’s love for us that he doesn’t let us become complacent and lazy!
This week, I challenge you to study and read Psalms 137. It is packed with the truth of God’s presence even when we are under attach and His earnestness to be with us and teach us even when we don’t know it. Ask God to reveal where he has been with you in your life. Have there been situations in your life you came out of unscathed, that you shouldn’t have? When you are going through your week, focus on what God is telling you and where he’s guiding you. Whether it be a decision to be made or waiting for an answer to prayer. He is always looking to show us he’s there. Even in the midst of the good times and the bad, in trials and hardship, He’s there wanting to be your shelter, shield, and strength. Your heavenly Father.
post by – Nathan Haws
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