Lord Where Are You?

When was the last time you looked to heaven and cried, Lord, where are you? We’ve all had days like that, haven’t we? But somehow and in some way, the Lord comes through for us.

Many times, however, before He intervenes, He’ll let us choose our own path. He did that for the nation of Israel, as recorded by the Prophet Isaiah.

Lord, why have you allowed us to turn from your path? Why have you given us stubborn hearts so we no longer fear you? Return and help us, for we are your servants, the tribes that are your special possession. Isaiah 63:17

God did this wonderful thing for humans when He created the world. He gave us a mind so we could think for ourselves with the ability to make choices.

When things go wrong for us because of our choices, we rarely blame ourselves. Instead, we blame the devil or question God because of how things turned out.

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That’s where God’s people found themselves in Isaiah’s day. They didn’t blame the devil, but they did question God. They also looked for God and couldn’t find Him because of their choices.

But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he became their enemy and fought against them. Isaiah 63:10

Have you ever heard someone refer to “the good old days?” The Israelites wanted to know what happened to those good old days.

Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. Isaiah 63:11

I guess they forgot about those who followed Moses. They also complained. Then, the next few verses say they searched for Him. In fact, five times, they asked the following question.

Where is the one who…

...brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd?
…sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people?
…whose power was displayed when Moses lifted up his hand?
…divided the sea before them, making himself famous forever?
…led them through the bottom of the sea? Isaiah 63:11-13

They lost track of God and thought He had lost track of them. Even though they couldn’t find the Lord, according to today’s verse, they blamed Him for how He created them.

Lord, why have you allowed us to turn from your path? Why have you given us stubborn hearts. Isaiah 63:17

Today, people still ask those same questions or at least similar ones. Like Israel, we too, tend to distance ourselves from God. Then we cry out by asking, Lord, where are you?

Then, we act like God walks away or turns His back on us. The Lord, though, never moves away, and we always have access to Him.

Instead of asking, “Lord, where are you?” We should ask, “Lord, where am I?” The Israelites should have asked that same question because they had distanced themselves from God.

Lord, look down from heaven; look from your holy, glorious home, and see us. Where is the passion and the might you used to show on our behalf? Where are your mercy and compassion now? Isaiah 63:15

Sometimes, we get very wrapped up in the things of life. So much so we tend to float away from God. Let me explain what I mean by using a personal illustration.

Let’s Not Float Away

A Pastor and his wife invited my wife and me to join them for a boat ride on the Connecticut River. After a while, he shut the engine off, and we all jumped in the water. We had a blast!

We talked and laughed and splashed and never left the side of the boat. After a while, the pastor said we need to get back in the boat because we’re almost to the dam. I said, what?

Because we stayed beside the boat the entire time, I didn’t realize we had continually floated downstream. The same principle can easily happen to us in life.

We can become so fixated on a worldly activity that we float further and further away from God. And I’m not talking about a bad activity, just something that takes our attention away from Him.

The Israelites found themselves in that position. Their activities not only drew them away from God, they ended up worshiping other gods. They didn’t realize that God never moved. They did.

When you feel far from God, it’s time to examine your heart and your priorities. He stays faithful to His Word and will never leave us.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

God gave that message to His people in Deuteronomy. Then He gave it to Joshua, and the writer of Hebrews also added that promise to the New Testament.

Are You Wondering Where the Lord Is?

The conversation Isaiah shared with us goes to the end of chapter 65. God promised salvation and blessings to those who live for Him.

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
My servants will eat, but you will starve.
My servants will drink, but you will be thirsty.
My servants will rejoice but you will be sad and ashamed.
My servants will sing for joy, but you will cry in sorrow and despair. Isaiah 65:13-14

Those who don’t submit to serving Him may one day cry out in vain, “Lord, where are you?”

Lord, we know where you are; please help us to keep track of where we are. We pray that the Holy Spirit will keep us from floating away from you.

Check out these related posts on the presence of God.