Where Were You, God? Pastor Dave Jansen July 2, 2017 Series: Cries of the Heart

God’s omnipresence and the manifestation of his presence are two very different things

When you are feeling distant from God, ask these four questions...

1. Am I operating on truth or on feeling?

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV) God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

“Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.” ~V. Raymond Edman~

Psalm 23:4 (NLT) Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

2. Am I still seeking him?

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7 (NIV)

3. Why might God not be “showing up?”

3. Why might God not be “showing up?”

A. There could be sin that still needs to be repented of. 3. Why might God not be “showing up?” A. There could be sin that still needs to be repented of.

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2 (NIV)

3. Why might God not be “showing up?”

B. God may be holding back to more gloriously display his power. 3. Why might God not be “showing up?” B. God may be holding back to more gloriously display his power.

is very sick.” But when Jesus heard So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” John 11:3-7 (NLT)

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died… When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Notice – both of them greet Jesus with, Where were you? Where were you when my brother needed you the most? John 11:21,32 (NLT)

3. Why might God not be “showing up?”

C. God often uses distance to 3. Why might God not be “showing up?” C. God often uses distance to grow your faith.

I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. Job 23:8-10 (NLT)

4. What does the cross tell me?

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NLT)

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Matthew 27:46 (NLT)

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT)

Where Were You, God? Pastor Dave Jansen July 2, 2017 Series: Cries of the Heart