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The question 'Where is God in times of suffering and pain?' has often been asked throughout history. In such times there are no easy answers, but you can be confident that God is nearer than you think. The Easter story which we recently celebrated tells us that Jesus, God in human form, knew all about suffering. Although he had done no wrong, he suffered the cruellest form of death by crucifixion. After the resurrection Jesus' followers needed to be convinced that there could be a bright future after the awful events they had witnessed.
Luke 24 tells us how the followers of Jesus were struggling in different ways: they were depressed, confused and grieving a lost dream. So where was Jesus? And where is God when we need Him? As we read further in this chapter, we find some incredible answers:
1. Jesus was right with them even though they didn’t know it (Luke 24:15-16, Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 43:2, Matthew 28:20, Isaiah 40:11)
2. Jesus was revealed to them through brokenness (Luke 24:30-31, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 147:3)
3. Jesus caused their hearts to burn within them (Luke 24:32)
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Do you feel like God has abandoned you or left you alone in the midst of your sadness, pain and struggles? Do you believe that even though you might not see it in your present circumstances, Jesus is still with you? Jesus was right there with the disciples in the time of their great sadness, 'walking along with them.’ But they were so filled with their own pain that they didn’t recognise Jesus was with them on the road. In their disillusionment and despair, they did not even look at him closely. The Bible tells us that God does watch over us and that we can discover that God is with us at all times. Psalm 23 famously pictures the Lord as the good shepherd walking with us in all the circumstances of life. Psalm 23:4 is emphatic, 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.' Isaiah 43:2 says: 'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.' Isaiah 43:5 adds, 'Do not be afraid, for I am with you.' The Bible not only repeatedly assures us that God is walking with us but also that sometimes He carries us. God is much nearer to you than you may imagine. Today, if you are struggling to believe this, ask the Lord to help you see this reality in your life.
Are you in a place of brokenness right now? Are you busy prioritising other things over spending time in God's presence, and therefore not knowing His presence and peace each day? It was in the breaking of the bread, symbolizing the broken body of Christ, that the disciples saw Jesus. Brokenness of spirit is so often the unexpected key to closeness with the Lord. Psalm 34:18: 'The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.' Psalm 147:3: 'He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.' Just when we think our lives, our families, our world is broken beyond repair we can know that the comfort and presence of Jesus. It is necessary to be still to know God. You can focus your thoughts on a Bible promise and ask the Holy Spirit to come close. He will come to comfort and strengthen you. Even when the world and your world is at their most broken, you can know God’s presence, just like the lives of Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place) and brother Yun (The Heavenly Man) have shown. Whatever is troubling you today, take time to be still before God in prayer and ask Him to help you and surround you with His presence.
Does your heart burn with the love of God, or has your relationship with God grown cold and distant? Do you rely on your knowledge about God, or do you instead have a personal experience of the love and presence of God each day? Religion is very cold and impersonal, but there is something very warming about real Christian faith. Whilst the disciples couldn’t understand everything, when Jesus explained the Scriptures to them, they felt a fire in their hearts. Fire in the Bible is a sign and evidence of God’s presence. Real Christianity isn’t just about believing in God with your head, but also about having your heart touched with the love of God. Pray today that God will touch your heart. It’s time for you to come in from the cold and to receive His embrace.
