“Where Are You God?” by Larry Davies

    It’s been an emotionally draining week in our community. The kind that makes you want cry out: “Where are you God?”

• A young boy is fighting for his life in an intensive care unit after an automobile accident.
• Another frustrated couple can find solace only in separation.
• A man facing death is making final preparations.
• Another young man is struggling with a drinking problem.
• A woman continues her brave battle against cancer with yet another round of chemotherapy.
• Another woman is desperately trying to break the pervasive hold of an abusive relationship.
• Doctors inform someone who has been in severe pain for the last three years, “There is no cure and it will only progressively get worse.”

    Where can someone find God in the midst of this much tragedy? Where is the hope?

    Paul, sick and in prison was writing to a church in Corinth that was in the midst of it’s own struggle. Yet surrounded by hopelessness, Paul speaks of hope: We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

    How does Paul do it? How does he maintain his faith? He writes: That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

    Here is the point:

1. Your body may be dying but with trust and faith, your spirit will only get stronger.
2. The tragedy and suffering you experience now will soon be replaced with God’s glory that lasts an eternity.
3. We must learn to look beyond our troubles to the joys God promises us all!

    How do we do that? Why do you think God organized the church? It may be filled with imperfect human beings, but it is still the best place I know to receive comfort and hope in the midst of disaster. During this same week, I found some great examples:

• One man struggling with career problems finally found a new job with great potential.
• The young boy fighting for his life is showing signs of improvement.
• Thirteen women graduated from an eight-month intensive Bible study and described times when the group or studied scripture helped them cope.
• The woman breaking free from an abusive relationship is now seeing someone who seems to genuinely care about her. Together they are working toward a deeper faith.
• A group of our local youth joined 5300 more from around the state to hear a famous Christian rock group and nationally respected leaders share the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
• A young man visits our church sharing his dream of starting Boy Scout troops throughout the county. His unique gift is touching the hearts of young boys and offering them God’s love.
• A young man from a previous church that I served visits to tell how God changed his life. He has opened a Christian bookstore and is actively helping others deepen their spiritual walk.

    Where is God? Maybe Paul answered it best: For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. If you are looking for God, don’t give up, pray, reach out to a friend, look to your church, open your Bible and He will soon find you!