A million miles away?
Distance. The space between point a and point b. Have you ever felt like God seemed to be a million miles away? Maybe you are feeling that way right now in your life. It's interesting to look up at night and see the stars shining in the night sky, but something far different to realize that those shining balls of light are giving off light that was started thousands and thousands of years ago on its journey to our present space in time. Like messengers of a world from the past these balls of light show to our present day today. Each one of these balls has distance from the earth. What happens when something comes in the way of one of them, such as a cloud? The object is covered up right? This phenomenon can be seen in many areas of life. When something comes in between something else it is easy for us forget about what is behind that something. The same is true in our Christian life. We may be seeking God earnestly, and He is there, but some doubt or discouragement rises to get in the way of our view of Jesus. What do we do in those points? How do we make it through? The Bible has the answer! Psalms 34:1 has the answer to this question.
The Bible says: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth"
Praising Jesus when it seems He isn't there is not always the easiest thing to do, but it is necessary. Look at Job friends, though discouraged He does not fail to hold onto Jesus! You and I are commanded to do this as well! We must hold onto Jesus. God never promised us an easy ride. Rough seas may be ahead, but Christ has traveled them many a time with many a person, and He promises to see us through to our haven of rest. So whether you are looking at a clear night sky in your life with thousands of stars, or there are clouds as thick as black ink in your life with flashes of lightning and thunder in your sky, know that your Redeemer lives! Whether at a distance in your mind or not, Jesus is a "very present help in trouble". Remember the words of this song: "When darkness seems to veil His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. Through every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the vale. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand." Also remember Job who said in Job 19:24-27
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; though my reins be consumed within me."
Finally remember Jesus, who struggled in Gethsemane to hold onto His Heavenly Father, as the blackness and darkness of our sins were placed upon His shoulders, coming between Him and hope and life with His Heavenly Father. Remember the promise of God found in Hebrews 12: 2
" Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Friends, if Jesus can endure the cross of calvary, and the darkest night possible, then we can surely by His Grace, knowing that He has been through the same for us, endure the night that He has given us to bear in our lives. Whatever you may be feeling is separating you from Your Heavenly Father, you can know that He is there! Don't be discouraged! He loves you, and He is with you. The Bible says in psalms 46:1 :
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"