Have you ever wondered that? In the tough times in life, when things don’t make sense, when life blindsides you, and Jesus seems to be nowhere around. Have you ever experienced that?
Perhaps there have been times in your life that have led you to ask, “Where are you, Jesus?” If so, you are not alone.
Scripture bears witness of those who asked this very question. Psalm 10:1, “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
The Cherokee have a legend about their rite of passage. The night of a boy’s 13th birthday, he would be blindfolded and led deep into the forest where he would spend the night alone. It must have been a terrifying night. This would be the first time he would have ever been away from the security of his family and tribe. After what seemed like days, he’d finally see sunlight. Looking around, everything he saw was familiar. Then, in astonishment he saw something he did not expect.
At some point in our lives, we have probably experienced the feeling of anxiety, fear or despair. We often experience this when our faith is being tested. Things may be uncertain; you may have questions like, “What is the purpose of what I’m going through?” Some may even be wondering, “Where is Jesus?”
As Christians, we are not exempt from the problems and issues of this life. Jesus said it best in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
The apostle James wrote, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-3). Unfortunately, trials often make us bitter instead of better.
I do not believe God intends for the trials we face to cause us to become bitter but to become better and stronger in our faith and walk with Him. Many times, I am so guilty of this, I will focus on the trial more than the Lord. Maybe trials come as a reminder for us to focus on the Lord and what He can accomplish through it.
God can use anything to get the attention of His people and to accomplish His purpose and will.
Dr. Roy Harris writes in his book, Caring for the Caregiver, that everyone will face a dark day that will reveal the true depth of his or her faith. Some situations are God-sized, far too large for us to fix. How does faith work when life seems to be out of control? Harris says, “I thought back over my life up to this point and I was reminded that God never makes mistakes.”
When circumstances arise in our lives and our faith is put to the test and it seems that Jesus is nowhere around, remember that God has you right where you need to be. We must trust Jesus that He will see you through. The peace we will experience when we realize that He is doing something even when it cannot be seen will be overwhelming.
No matter how hard the winds blow or how high the waves crash, no matter how bad things may get, let us remember to keep trusting God and He will see us through.
In times of our greatest trials and circumstances, the Spirit is interceding on our behalf.
Romans 8:26 & 27, “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
You and I can rest assured right now, this very moment, that He sees where we are and He is praying for us. Jesus is greater than any problem we will ever face, and He is able to calm any situation.
There may be times in our lives when we do not understand, or we question where He is, or wonder if He even cares, but do not think for a moment that He does not see our situations and already knows the outcome.
The old proverb goes, “The darkest hour is the dawning of the clearest day.” It is in the hour of greatest heartache that we find Him. It is in the circumstances of life when our faith is tested and strengthened. Faith doesn’t deny the reality of the difficulty, it declares the power of God in the face of the problem.”
To the astonishment of the young Cherokee boy after his long night alone, he saw at dawn the form of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was the boy’s father. He had stood with his son all night to watch over him and protect him.
Where is Jesus? He is close by, watching over us with His protection.
-by Scott Bee, Pastor, Lakeview Fellowship
