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Sunday, December 23, 2018 am                                                                                                                                                                                                Joshua Thornhill

 When God Is Not There

Introduction: There are times in each of our lives where we hurt. Sometimes we face trials and we cry out to God to help us. Sometimes, it may seem like God is not there. It may seem like God doesn’t care. Let us consider what we must do when God appears to be distant.

 I. Trials Are a Part of Life:

            A. We all know what its like to hurt: Romans 8:18, 2 Cor. 5:2

            B. Trials are necessary: 1 Peter 1:6-7

                        1. Sometimes suffering is God’s way of getting our attention.

                        2. Sometimes adversity forges needed character: Jacob, James 1:2-3

                        3. Sometimes hardship teach us humility, patience or dependence.

 II. Job Felt Forsaken:

            A. Job was a man who faced tremendous hardship and loss: Job 1-2

            B. Job felt as if God had abandoned Him: Job 29:2, 4-5

            D. Job’s faith was challenged and brought to the very brink: Job 16:7-9

            E. Despite all that, he did not lose his faith: Job 1:22, 2:10, 19:25-26

 III. David Felt Forsaken: Psalm 13

            A. Trials Bring grief:

                        1. It seems like our problems will never cease: 2 Cor. 4:17, 1 Peter 1:6

                        2. It may seem like God is indifferent: vs. 1-2

                                    a. We cry out to God and it seems like He doesn’t hear: cf. Psalm 22

                                    b. God doesn’t work our timetable: cf. Joseph, Acts 24:26-27

                                    c. God has not forgotten you: Isaiah 49:14-15, Hebrews 13:5

                        3. Prayer might seem useless: vs. 3

                                    a. Jesus taught persistence in prayer: Luke 18:1-8

                                    b. Jesus experienced our trials and is there to help: Hebrews 4:15-16

                                    c. Our focus ought to be on God’s glory, not my happiness: vs. 4

            B. Trials Require Trust (Faith):

                        1. We must look up: Phil 4:6-7

                        2. We must look back: Psalm 34:8, Romans 5:6-11

                        3. We must look ahead: Hebrews 10:36ff, 11:10, 13ff, 1 Peter 1:3-9

 IV. Faith Reminds Us We Are Never Forsaken: 

            A. God is always present: Job 19:25

            B. God does care: Mark 4:35-41, 1 Peter 5:7

            C. God will never forsake the righteous: Psalm 37:23-26

            D. God will deliver: Psalm 46:1, 34

            E. God brings peace: Philippians 4:6-7, Isaiah 26:3-4

            F. If we trust in God, He will bring good out of the bad: Rom 8:28

 

Conclusion: When you are facing trials, do not let the struggles you are facing diminish you faith. Rather, let your faith bloom as you trust in God and hold fast to Him. Trust God in all things.