It is so easy to question where is God in a world with so much hurt and pain. But ironically, it is also in those times of personal hardship and tragedy that many seek God or call out His name for help. For in those times of trouble we realize that we do not have the resources or abilities on our own to handle many of the difficulties of life. So on the one hand, when others are in pain but we are experiencing a certain level of contentment, we do not necessarily demonstrate our need for God. Yes, we may think of God and pray for those experiencing trials or even offer concrete assistance to help, but thinking about God is not the same as recognizing our need for God. In many ways, we are acknowledging they need God in those specific circumstances, and if we are honest we may also acknowledge that they would benefit from submitting to God in all circumstances. But many times we do not have a true realization of our need for God until we are experiencing similar traumas. And oftentimes, it is only when we are encountering parallel difficulties that we call upon God to intervene in our situation. So where is our need for God in all of the other times in our lives when things are going fairly well?
So in reality, life is not about where is God, but it is about how mindful are we of our need for God. As for where is God, honestly, by taking a simple walk in the woods and by truly observing the wonder and beauty of creation we can see that God exists and that His presence is everywhere. But what I am pondering is much deeper than knowing that there is a God, or even thinking about God, for what I am articulating is the importance of being in continual submission to our Lord and Savior. Jesus used the analogy of a vine and its branches in detailing the importance of our relationship with Him through stating “Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5, NASB). In describing our relationship with Christ through these verses, John MacArthur noted that “Just as a branch depends entirely on the vine for life, sustenance, growth, and fruit, so believers depend completely on the divine Lord as the source of their spiritual life and effect. And just as a branch cannot bear spiritual fruit unless it is connected to the vine, so believers cannot bear fruit apart from their life-giving union with Christ” (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, John 12-21, 2008, p.142).
So, the question then becomes, how do we express and demonstrate our relationship with God where He remains in us, and us in Him? For although this is a seemly simple question, the answer has monumental consequences. Those who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will have eternal life (John 3:16). But God provides a clear warning for those who are not in relationship with Him – “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6). My hope is that you ponder the question this week of how you express your relationship with God that demonstrates that He is your Lord and Savior, and next week I will explore the answer to this question further.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “This is what the Lord says: “Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord”.