when we don’t “see God”

Reading: We will be looking at 3 passages today.

- John 4:46-54

- Exodus 13:21-22

- James 4:8

Question: How do we/ how will we react when we don’t see God acting in our life? From our only nearsighted view.

Question: What’s the deal when God feels far away?

There are 3 points to evaluate and answer these two questions.

# 1

The first place I want to observe is John 4:46-54 in the New Testament.

READ: “As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.

48 Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”

49 The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.”

50 Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. 52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. 54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea."

By the time Jesus is in Galilee, He has performed previous miracles and broken standard protocols of the time. Including, turning water into wine, and talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, something that would have never happened in the social norm.

I think in the question “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” convicting as it is, Jesus is making a blatantly clear proposition when he interacts with this grief-stricken and worried father. I think he is bringing to the surface the question or idea are you only coming to me for what I can do or are you coming to me for who I AM?

I want to challenge you with that: Do you come to God when you need something or do you come to God to walk in truth looking to glorify him solely for his glory?

# 2

We are going to hope like a bunny from the New Testament to the Old real quick.

Let’s look at Exodus 13:21-22

“The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.”

When God was leading the Israelites out of Egypt, he never left his people without guidance. The same goes for us today. God never leaves us. Only the form in which he guides us is different. The way he leads may change forms from season to season. It’s never a lack of his goodness, however.

# 3

Application: Back in the New Testament...

James 4:8

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

It’s laid out for us in James. Even when we don’t see God moving as we would like him to or think he should it’s our job to draw close to him and give him the honor of seeking him. AND HE WILL is a {certain} absolute instruction.

When God feels far away we tend to think poof! Everything is gone and we are on our own. However, this only brings to light and questions our desires, is our desire to feel God and to feel good BY God? OR is our desire to steadfastly pursue God out of adoration, for Him to bring glory to Him. To seek him EVEN WHEN we "feel" NOTHING? Now that's a challenge.

Have a blessed/fun day!!