IS GOD ANYWHERE NEAR?

We all go from time to time through certain experiences that crush us physically, emotionally, spiritually and our faith in God is severely tested. Recently I read the testimony of William J. Stuntz a professor at Harvard Law School. Here is the excerpt: “While driving home from a family vacation his car got a flat tire. When he started to change it something nasty happened at the base of his back ever since his lower back and the top of his right leg have hurt. Inspite of psychotherapy and thousands of pills his back and leg hurts every waking moment. When his family moved to accept a job at Harvard Law School his family began to fall apart one of his children suffered a life threatening disease and his marriage fell apart. In February 2008 another bad news struck him: Doctors found a large tumor in his colon, a month later films turned up tumors in both of his lungs. He had two cancer surgeries and six months of intensive chemotherapy. He continues to have that back pain and lives with the thought that probably cancer might kill him with in the next two years. He is fifty years old.[1]

Your situation might be different than this Harvard professors’ but the truth of the matter is that these situations or maybe worse can happen to any one of us. When that happens to us we are devastated, crushed in our spirit all our strength is drained, we become depressed and begin to wonder, thinking that God is millions of miles far away from us. We wonder where is God when life hurts like that? Does God know how we feel, does He care? Why do some suffer while others seem to have an easy ride? Is God anywhere near? There are no easy answers to any of these agonizing questions. However we can find some answers from the scriptures. Here are a few: Isaiah 57: 14-19; Isaiah 61:1-3, John 10:10; Luke 4:16-21

Isaiah 57:14-19 “And it will be said: "Build up, build up, and prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people." 15 For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. 16 I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me-- the breath of man that I have created. 17 I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways. 18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, 19 creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near," says the LORD. "And I will heal them."

At times God is angry with us because of our disobedience and sin but he doesn’t always remain angry forever. When we acknowledge our sin and cry out to him for help he is there to heal, guide and restore comfort to us. On the contrary they enemy is there to steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Isaiah further amplifies the heart of God in Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. This was also a prophecy concerning the messiah.

One of the first things that Jesus did after he came through temptation successfully was that he established his mission or purpose. Luke 4:16-21 “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. You might be feeling crushed in your spirit, or feeling depressed due to a chronic illness, financially strapped due to a job loss, feeling disillusioned over a family situation, or you may feel like you are in a prison and unable to get out because of certain addictions. Whatever may be your situation you can be set free, experience joy, gladness, receive healing and find hope and strength for the future. Satan’s mission is to steel your health, kill your joy and destroy your life and your loved ones but where as Christ came to give you life and life in abundance. This abundant life is for you.
[1] Christianity Today Magazine, August 2009