Session 29

What to do when it seems like God has disappeared

From Jeremiah: A 33-Day Devotional

Has God ever seemed to disappear? Maybe apathy seems to be consistently overruling faith.  Maybe a habit has developed and taken the place of God. Maybe a time has come when we have no clue what’s happened, but we simply feel alone.

No matter how disconnected we may feel, God’s character remains the same. Feelings are not fact. The fact is that God is unchanging, and He is working all things for good for those who love Him.

Knowing that God does not change and knowing that He wants good things for us, what are we to do when He seems to have forgotten us?  “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, emphasis added).

God’s promise is clear. We are promised the closest fellowship with God when we pursue Him with all our hearts. This means giving up the parts of our lives we are trying to keep to ourselves. It means working through the apathy, or addiction, or frustrations of daily life. It means giving our lives over to the care of God and knowing He is faithful to meet us at that moment.

As Christians, the sense that God is nowhere to be found can lead to fear, guilt, and confusion, but it is not an emotion fueled by God. Our feelings do not change the facts. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never leave us nor forsake us. The tomb is empty, and no matter how alone we may feel in a given circumstance, God remains.

Reflect:

• Is there any part of your heart/life that you are withholding from God? If so, why?
• What’s one way you can seek God with all your heart today?