“Where is God?” ~ ✨
People often ask, “Where is God?” This might be a complaint uttered by someone because of their unfortunate circumstances. For those who live with abundant spiritual life, however, they know that God is “there with them.”
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). He blessed Adam and Eve, entrusted all creation to their care, and gave them every seed-bearing plant and fruit for food (Genesis 1:28-29). God didn’t give these to them because they asked; He gave them freely, even without their asking. Had they obeyed God’s words, they could have rested secure, enjoying an endless provision. Alas, Adam and Eve did not obey God’s command, and His curse came upon the earth (Genesis 3:6, 14-19). To not listen to God’s words and to follow one’s own desires is equivalent to not putting the God who created them first.
The Old Testament contains many people and events that testify how all who listened to God’s words and put Him first prospered in everything they did (Psalm 1:2-3). A classic example is Abraham, the patriarch of Israel. God told him to leave his homeland and go west, not knowing the destination, yet without a word of protest, he took his household and went. God blessed him, so that kings would come from him, and all nations would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:1-4; 17:1-6). Those who put God first are those who set their minds on God’s concerns.
Solomon, the King of Israel, the king of kings, first asked God for wisdom to govern His people, which was pleasing to God. God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding like no one before or after him, and also gave him what he did not ask for—riches and honour—so that during his lifetime no king could compare. God’s condition was that Solomon would walk in His ways and keep His decrees and commands (1 Kings 3:7-14). Conversely, God would take away everything from those who rebel against His commands. We see this principle clearly in Solomon’s own life. A king who began with setting his mind on God’s matters later turned away from God, chasing after the lewd passions and detestable practices of foreign nations, thereby sowing the seeds for Israel’s future downfall.
Between those who listen to God and those who don’t, there is another kind of person whom God calls “blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil”—like Job. He himself committed no sin, but fearing his children might have sinned in their feasting, he regularly offered burnt offerings on their behalf. Besides fearing God and shunning evil, the Bible doesn’t detail Job’s relationship with God: Did he speak face to face? Did he see visions in dreams or hear God speak to him? Or did he constantly offer songs, hymns, prayers, and thanksgiving to praise God? Satan challenged that Job feared God only because God had placed a hedge of protection around him (Job 1:6, 9-11). Thus, Job entered a period of severe testing, losing everything in one day—his children and servants killed, his possessions and property destroyed.
Before the tragedy, Job admitted he had only heard of God by hearsay, suggesting a distant connection. In the midst of his intense suffering, he said he saw God with his own eyes (Job 42:5). I believe he meant he had drawn closer to God, even connecting his heart with God’s heart! Even under Satan’s attack, God still gave Job the opportunity to prove his faith, demonstrating God’s sovereignty. Job’s steadfast hope, obedience, and trust were accepted by God, who blessed him even more than before (Job 42:12-17). His very tangible testimony truly glorifies God and benefits others!
Humans are unfaithful, but God is faithful to His covenant. From the covenant made with Noah after the Flood (Genesis 9:8-11), to the covenants with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Leviticus 26:42), with Moses, with King David, and ultimately the covenant established through the sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus Christ, with all humanity (Hebrews 8:6 & 10:19), God’s covenant is unchanging. Where God’s covenant is, God is. Where God is, His covenant is.
The covenant-keeping God, who delivered the Israelites from Egypt and from foreign gods, made it explicitly clear that they were to have no other gods besides the LORD (Exodus 20:3). Before entering the promised land of Canaan, God, through His servant Moses, told the Israelites: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.” (Deuteronomy 6:5, 14). Those who are within the covenant will find God there, while those who break the covenant are the ones asking, “Where is God?”
God’s love, mercy, and promises are countless… Coming to the last days, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, came into the world, accomplishing salvation on behalf of sinners, revealing God’s great love and power (John 3:16-18). All who believe and receive Jesus Christ—who believe that God exists—have God’s power working in their hearts, accomplishing abundantly far more than all they can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Jesus Christ said these words: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30). He also told His disciples that the Spirit of truth would live in them. Whoever obeys His commands is the one who loves Him; the one who loves Him will be loved by the Father and the Son, and Jesus will show Himself to them (John 14:17 & 21).
Over nine hundred years before Jesus’ birth, King Solomon of Israel pointed out that what people seek and desire now has already been; what will be has been before; and God brings back what has passed (Ecclesiastes 3:15). Now, people can look to and trust in Jesus Christ. Even in various trials, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Thus, from ancient times to the present, whether within the covenant made with Abraham or the covenant sealed by the precious blood of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, God’s chosen people are God’s first choice. That God’s chosen people must put God first is also an unchanging principle. Jesus taught His disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things would be given to them as well (Matthew 6:33). Believers should recognize this as both their Lord’s instruction and His promise (1 Kings 3:7-14). Those who worship God in spirit and truth are necessarily those who seek God’s kingdom. Their Lord declared that the kingdom of God is within them (Luke 17:21)—that is where God is, in their hearts!
Dear readers, God’s promises never fail! God is our refuge and fortress, our God in whom we trust (Psalm 91:1-2). If we love Him wholeheartedly, He will deliver us; if we call on Him sincerely, He will answer; if we are in trouble, He will be with us. God will deliver and honour us. This portion of honour has already been given to us through the glorious grace of God in Christ Jesus! And my God will meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
With these promises, we should rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). A life that worships God must be lived out—through our attitudes and actions in daily life—so that the light of the glory of God’s grace may shine from us. If God’s Word is not a lamp to our feet and a light for our path, then we are still living in darkness or confusion, unable to see that God is in the light. We should know that if we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, He will make our paths straight. As for those who do not do the will of the heavenly Father (Matthew 7:21), or the double-minded person—unstable in all they do—such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7-8).
Stop asking, “God! Where are You?” God isn’t somewhere else; He is right there in the hearts of those who believe in Him. The Scripture clearly states that for those who belong to Christ Jesus, their life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Christ is the Lord of life, the head of the church, which is His body—formed by believers united as one in the Spirit into the body of Christ. This truth must be lived out practically. When you worship God in spirit and truth, when you love God wholeheartedly, God is right beside you, protecting you (Psalm 91:14-16). Therefore, we must hold firmly to God’s promises; if we face hardship, God’s grace will cover us (Psalm 46:1; 2 Corinthians 12:9).
In summary, not listening to God’s words is human nature, as seen from Adam and Eve. All creation is God’s handiwork; He is omnipresent. God remembers His covenant with humanity; He said: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” (Genesis 8:22). Therefore, as long as the earth remains, God hasn’t gone anywhere—it is those who have gone their own way have strayed!
I conclude with this poem👇🏻
“To Understand or Not” ~ ✨
Earth’s four seasons, a life of seasons
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, an endless cycle
Spring thrives and grows
Summer blooms and bears fruit
Autumn prepares for winter’s coming
Winter’s sleep, unaware of dawn
A lamp for my feet, a light on my path
The living Word, piercing to soul and spirit
To understand is not to fear; to fear is not to understand
Earthly life, the prelude to eternity
✨✨💖 ~
en yan hua fang 