Baptist City Blog

When God Seems Distant

Psalm 10:1

"Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?"

Have you ever felt that God was not near you? The Psalmist felt the same way. He asked God, "Why standouts thou afar off, O LORD?" When you are going through rough times, it can certainly seem that God is very distant. During these times we must be careful to take the right steps so that we avoid getting bitter at God, or quit serving Him.

First, when God seems distant stop looking at yourself. One of the reasons you would feel that God is distant is because you have your eyes on yourself. When your eyes are on yourself, you won't be able to see that God is near because you are looking at yourself. Any time a person has their eyes on themselves they will have a pity party.

Second, when God seems distant stop looking at the wicked. This is a great mistake that many make when they are going through rough times. Many will look at the heathen and think that the heathen never have hard times. This is exactly what the Devil would want you to do. What you don't realize is that the heathen have hard times just like you do. Do you think the Devil is going to advertise the hard times that the heathen face? Of course he isn't. He is going to put his best foot forward to deceive you. Though it may seem that the heathen never have hard times, you can rest assured that they have heartaches just like you. Matthew 5:45 says, "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Notice that everyone has rough times. It is dangerous to start comparing the Christian life to the life of the wicked when God seems distant. When God seems distant, where you place your perception will determine how you make it through the rough times.

Third, when God seems distant be sure to place your eyes on the works of God. When the Psalmist took his eyes off of himself and the heathen, he then was able to see the works of God. Verse 16 says, "The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land." Yes, God still works when you think that He is distant. God's works don't depend upon how you feel. God still works even when He may seem distant.

Last, remember God's promises when God seems distant. God promised in Isaiah 41:10, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Notice that God promised to be with you. That promise never fails. Though God may seem distant, His promise tells you that He is near you. We also know from Titus 1:2 that God cannot lie. Therefore, you can count on God's presence being near you even when you think He is distant.

Christian, you will go through times in your life when God will seem very distant. It is in these times that the depth of your Christianity will be tested. In these times don't rely on your feelings for they will lie to you, rather rely on the promises of God for they are unchanging and will be the very thing that will help you through your tough times.