Where Is God?

Note: This devotion was written in 2020

Psalms 10:1

As I write this there is yet another hurricane that is threatening to make landfall into the Gulf States. This will be the fourth one this season and there is still a ways to go. The devastation of wind, floods, and storm surge has done billions of dollars in damage, not counting the physical, emotional, and spiritual damage done to the residents. This is just one aspect of the chaos in this present year. There are wildfires out west, civil unrest in our major cities, and to top it all off a pandemic. I also need to mention that it is an election year.

David in our text feels that in the midst of evil and destruction that God is just standing aside as an onlooker or casual observer. Sometime he feels that God is not even there and that He has left the world to run its course and play out it destructive themes.

When we sit back and try to take it all in it can be pretty overwhelming. We used to wake up to our normal routines, but now we don’t know what to expect when we wake up. What will, or shall we shall we say, what can happen now? When I contemplate on the issues at hand, it is then that I began to meditate on the word of God. It says when we meditate upon it, we shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. In other words we will not be tossed to and fro or be rooted up by the winds of chaos around us.

I think about when God spoke to Job in the whirlwind. Job’s life and theology was rather chaotic and fleeting, but yet in the midst of it all, God was not only speaking, but present in the storm.”God said to Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” Job 38:4 The Lord immediately let Job know that He was the creator of all things and was in control.

I think also about Moses meeting God at the burning bush. Moses living a much different life after fleeing Egypt has now met God, who not only is speaking from the fiery bush, but also present in it. As Moses saw his kin people suffer, he heard God saying “Let my people go!” Exodus 5:1

I also think about the civil unrest that was taking place in Jerusalem, but at the same time I hear God speaking through the Prophet Jeremiah of better days that are to come when He says “I know the thoughts I have for you, thoughts of good, not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

Even in a plague I can still hear the voice of God as He passes through Egypt on the night when the firstborn was taken saying stay indoors and “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:13

We may feel like those disciples on the stormy sea being tossed to and fro fearing for their lives. But yet on board there is Christ who rises up and says “Peace, be still.” Mark 4:39

Even as they see Him after the resurrection and He ascends up to the throne of God we have His promise “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the earth.” Matthew 28:20

You see when we move from contemplating on events to meditating on the word we will find out that not only is God speaking to us, but yet He is also present with us, right here in our own storm in times like these.

Pastor Robby