Where is God When Life Stinks?

Where is God When Life Stinks?

Pastor Dave Bentley

Thought-Provoking Discussions

I have just had some very thought-provoking discussions with some young ladies in our youth group. The topic ranged to a variety of things, but in the end it came to rest on this subject, “Where is God when life stinks?” It’s a challenging question that beckons us far beyond “In the beginning God created…” and beneath the surface of “God is love…” to the place where we find that even “Jesus wept.”

I have looked up a variety of references on sorrow and suffering, and initially intended to focus on Job for this, but then something caught my eye, or more appropriately my heart. The surprising story of a wounded warrior who struggled with the same questions I was being asked today.

A Desperate Cry and Uncomfortable Question

Listen to this: “My tears have been my meat day and night, while

they continually say unto me, where is thy God?”

(Psalm 42.3)

Could there ever be a more desperate cry? Who is this that God would seemingly abandon? Surely this must be a person of little faith, perhaps not even a believer at all.

Actually this is the heart-rending cry of David. David, the giant killing warrior and shepherd-king of Israel. David, the “man after God’s own heart.” David, the musician responsible for incredible songs of praise. How can this man, so blessed and used by God come to a place in his life that these are the words that drip from his pen?

I don’t even pretend that I will be able to adequately answer this challenge, but I hope that some of what I can share in insight will inspire and instruct and lead those who will tread out into the deeper places to search and find the riches that await those willing to trust God—even in times of sorrow and suffering.

I wish I could…

I wish I could tell you that once you become a follower of God you won’t ever have to worry about suffering and sorrow again. Fact is many have heard such misleading promises only to find themselves broken in the wake of the reality of life. When I first became a follower of Christ I expected that my life was going to get better…get easier…get awesome. Then I was smacked on the forehead with real life. I was disheartened to discover that life actually seemed to get harder.

The first clue for us should be the experiences of the followers of God throughout history. Job is only one of the many faithful followers who faced suffering in spite of their righteousness and faithfulness. Here’s a quick list of people who come to mind who suffered even though they were faithful.

• Joseph – sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.

· Moses – Hiding out in the dessert for forty years as a shepherd when once he had walked the halls of the house of pharaoh.

· David – His own son ursurped the throne and attempted to have him killed.

What about in the New Testament

· Mary and Martha lost their brother Lazarus (even though he was returned to them four days later)

· All the disciples except John were killed for following Jesus.

· Philip, a man full of the Spirit, was stoned to death for his faith.

· Paul would be killed in Rome for proclaiming the Gospel of Christ

· And, let’s not forget that Jesus himself suffered and died on the cross in a horrific execution for following the will of God.

Then there are the numerous believers throughout history since the days of the Bible who have suffered…who have face unspeakable sorrow…who have even died even though they were faithful followers of Jesus Christ, servants of the most high God.

God is Good…All the Time

We say that with almost a sing-song sound in our voice. For sometime we were in a church where we would say this phrase in a form of recitation. One person would say, “God is Good all the time” and the rest would then echo, “All the time God is Good.” And I know that I believed that then and I believe it now. But that means that God is good…when it’s sunny and when it’s raining. God is good when I’m up and when I’m down. God is good when life is great and when life isn’t so great.

There’s a song that has come to mean a lot to me. Each time we sing it I am at once encouraged and challenged. My faith is stretched by the honesty of the lyrics. The song is “Blessed by Your Name” written by Matt Redman. It’s lyrics challenge us to bless the name of the Lord when the streams of abundance flow as well as on the road marked with suffering. To be able to praise Him when we are found in the dessert place…the wilderness as easily as when the suns shining down. (I would encourage you to look up the lyrics and song and listen to it if you can.)

The lesson in that song, and the lesson in Scripture is that God is…and God is good all the time. It’s not a question, and it’s not based on our circumstances or experiences. God is…and God is Good. Because of that we can bless His name and praise Him, no matter what.

God is There…All the Time

Another important lesson for us to grasp is that God is THERE all the time. Here’s an interesting experience from Scripture…think about this…

Matthew 8:23-27
²³ As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.
²⁴ Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping.
²⁵ So the disciples came and woke Him up, saying, “Lord, save [us]! We’re going to die!”
²⁶ But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm.
²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this?—even the winds and the sea obey Him!” [HCSB]

Did you notice that Jesus was right there. He didn’t keep the storm from coming, He was with them through the storm. The storm was severe and apparently life-threatening, even though these were His closest associates. He doesn’t promise that we won’t face storms and hardship. He assures us of His presence in the midst of the storm. God is there…all the time.

God is Trustworthy…all the Time

We started by reading part of David’s soul lament in the beginning, but listen to what else he says in that same psalm: Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. (Ps. 42.11b)

This is an incredible step of faith and trust. To find hope in the midst of the trials of life. To find strength to praise even when you are enduring the suffering and sorrow. Because of his hope David literally declares that

In spite of the turmoil…I will praise Him

In spite of the pain…I will praise him

In spite of the doubts…I will praise Him

David had known many difficulties over the course of his life. He had been in mortal danger numerous times. Yet, through all of these trials and hardships he maintained his relationship with the Lord, his Shepherd. He knew well the valley of the shadow, but he also had encountered the green meadows beside quiet waters. (Ps. 23) Because of these experiences and encounters with the Lord, David knew, and we can too, that God is trustworthy…all the time.

Where is God when Life Stinks?

The question doesn’t get any easier to answer, but I pray that the circumstances of life will become easier to bear, with faith and trust in God. Because, Satan will still whisper, “Where is your God now?” Those around us are observing us to see if we will walk what we talk, especially when life throws us a curve ball. But, let’s think about some of those ancient friends who experienced suffering and hardship.

While Joseph was sitting in that dark prison God was at work planning a way for his escape. No, God didn’t forget him. God didn’t forsake him. God knew where he was. And in God’s own perfect time he came on the scene.

Remember Moses? Stranded by the Red Sea with nowhere to run. Where was God? Oh, He was getting ready to implement his plans! You know the story, the waters departed and the people of Israel walked over to the other side on dry ground!

Remember Mary and Martha? They called for Jesus to come, but he just ignored their request. But just when they thought all hope was gone, Jesus came on the scene. For you see, even death cannot stop Jesus. For He is the resurrection and the life!

Remember the disciples? Just when it seemed all hope was gone. Just when they thought they were going to sink to the bottom of that raging sea, Jesus came walking upon the water.

Where was Jesus? Oh, He was aware that death had taken Lazarus. He was aware the storm was about to destroy the disciple’s boat. He was aware that Joseph was in that Egyptian jail. He was aware that Job lost all he had and was sitting in agony scrapping the boils on his body. And He is aware what you are facing today! He is aware what you are going through.

So, when Satan sneers at you and with sulfur ridden breaths hisses, “Where is your God now?” You take a breath and state with faith and hope…real hope…that God is right where He has always been. Right here with me, even in the midst of this trial and hardship. He is as good, as presents, and as trustworthy as He always has been. Just like when everything was going great, God is good. Just like when it felt like I was walking hand in hand with Him, God is here. Just like when it seemed life couldn’t be any better, God is trustworthy.

Sure, at times our feelings tell us that God is millions of miles away. At times we seem to be galaxies removed. But, take a look at what Job stated at one point, even after he had lost everything and was being accused by even his friends of having brought it all on himself. “Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.” (Job 23.10) God knows…He is aware…nothing escapes His sight. He is as near as the air around you, as the breath you take when you inhale. That’s close…that’s intimate…that’s our God.

God Knows All About You

What a comfort to have this assurance, God knows. He knows all your pain and anxieties. He is aware of your loneliness. He sees the trials you face each and every day. He knows about your family troubles. He knows about your finances. He knows about your heartbreak. He knows how you feel inside, really he does!

He is still as Good…still as Present…still as Trustworthy as He has ever been.

Where’s the Beef?

I got a magazine from the college I attended recently with a note about the president’s address earlier this fall that was done in a series of three chapel talks based on the old Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” commercials. If you remember those ad, Clara Peller would repeatedly ask “where’s the beef” when she lifted the fluffy bun top off the burgers of various fast food companies. The problem was that they might look real good with those nice fluffy buns, but the real substance was lacking.

In the series of messages there was a challenge to be more than just “fluffy bun believers” but to really be “beefy believers.” In other words, bring substance into our lives.

Here are the three areas of substance that we need to focus in on.

1. Beef-Up in the area of Love

The people around us expect that we are going to be different. We are commanded time and time again in scripture to be people of love, even to the extent that we would express love to our enemies. However, sometimes it is hard to see whether or not we even love our own family let alone those who are against us. We need to “beef-up” our love for…

· One Another

· The Lost

· The Hurting

· Our Enemies

As one of those old “camp-fire” songs I used to sing so often says, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

2. Beef-Up in the Area of Service

The meat of our lives is expressed in our service. How we respond to the needs around us will show the substance of who we are. Jesus did what needed to be done, even when it was hard, unpopular, and unappreciated. We need to stop whining…stop making excuses…and get engaged in serving. There are so many needs, we don’t have time to sit back and complain. Let the world see the servant in you…Jesus as He touches lives through you.

3. Beef-Up in the Area of Worship

Worship unashamed. This is more than just showing up to church on Sunday at 10. It’s letting worship, praise, and appreciation flow in your life. It’s learning to give thanks—even in difficult circumstances. See, “fluffy-bun-believers” are all there for the music, preaching, and good feeling Sunday service…but real “beefed-up believers” learn to live a life where worship is real substance. They can say, with Job who had lost so much, “I know that my Redeemer lives!” They can shout “Praise the Lord!” as the hordes converge on them. They can whisper a prayer of thanks for the broken road they are on. They can sing “Blessed be your name” on roads marked with suffering and in the dessert place.

So there are three key ares – Love, Service, Worship—where we as believers could use some real substance…the beef of our lives. Look beneath the fluffy buns of our life…do you see beef, or are you wondering with those around you, where’s the beef.

What do you do if you find that you are more Fluff than Beef?

First, confess that, because it is not God’s will for you. Agree with God that you are not where you know He wants you to be in these areas. Step one in any road to recovery is to admit there is a problem.

Second, commit to turning from where you are to where He wants you to be. This is accomplished by seeking Him in Bible reading/study, prayer, worship, and service. Yes, as you do the things He’s asking you to do you will be continually getting closer to Him.

Third, recognize where you are so that when you begin to slip from time to time—and you will—you will be more aware of it and able to respond by getting back on track.

People around us are wondering, “Where’s the Beef?” They are looking—and longing—for the substance of what and who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. They are expecting us to be different and to offer them a better way then what the rest of the world offers. We can, but it means we need to “Beef-Up” as believers. So, let’s bulk up on what matters and let the substance be visible beyond the fluff.

Blessings,

Pastor Dave

(Dr. Thomas Kinchen is president of The Baptist College of Florida)