“When God Doesn’t Talk Back” by Adam Davis

Posted by sam

I’ll be honest with you. I don’t feel like God’s close to me right now.

“But you’ve got the Holy Spirit in you, God’s always close to you!”
“You’ve been a Christian for like, 15 years, what do you mean?!”

I know. And yet, when I cry out to God, when I ask Him to make something happen, it sometimes feels like I’m talking to a brick wall.

Surely I’m not the only person who’s ever felt like this. Whether it’s a specific sin, apathy towards your faith, or nothing at all that’s separating you from Jesus, surely you understand what this is like. When I look to scripture, I’m quickly reminded that I’m not alone. I’m reminded of David: Psalmist, King, and giant-slayer. Although David was “a man after God’s own heart,” in the book of Psalms we sometimes see him as helpless; crying out to The Lord, begging God to make His presence known.

Psalms 13:1 says, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” We can’t be sure exactly what it is David is so salty about, however, it’s obvious that he’s using an honest and challenging tone when questioning God. If you’re ever ashamed of not being able to feel God close to you, or too prideful to deal with your feelings of sorrow and loneliness, then see David, and realize this is a relatively normal feeling.

Should we be content with these feelings of being far from God? No.
Should we strive to hear God speak in our lives? Absolutely.

Still, know that you’re not the only Christian who feels distant from God. In the rest of Psalms 13, David changes his tone. He says this in verses 5-6, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” Like David, cast away your pride and hand over these feelings to the Savior. You’ll be met by a sweet, Heavenly Father who has “dealt bountifully” with you.

Bountifully indeed.

God has given us salvation through His son Jesus, by which a “steadfast love” is beautifully bestowed upon us. Allow the cross where Jesus died to be a constant reminder that God LOVES YOU AND WILL NOT FORGET ABOUT YOU. Temporary distance from God doesn’t mean you’re not a real Christian. Don’t let feelings of silence, pain, and guilt keep you from focusing on God’s perfect gift in Jesus, the Christ who ultimately delivers us from all feelings of loneliness and despair.

So know you’re not alone.
1. Don’t be afraid of these feelings of distance from God. Discuss them with someone from church, or a counselor or friend from camp.
2. Be reminded of and “fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith.” What you’re going through isn’t forever, for we are “citizens of Heaven” and will one day be united with Jesus for eternity.

I’ll leave you with the warming words of Jesus in Matthew 11:30, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle
and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Much love,
Vernal Snow Wolf


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