Why is finding God difficult sometimes?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Holy Spirit, through the apostle Paul, made it clear that God cannot be contained by a building, but He can still be near to us (Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:1). The Bible shows that God wants us to seek and find Him (Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7-8). We sometimes become frustrated because we want God to answer us directly, as He did for the Israelites. But the Israelites didn’t have God’s completed Word, the Bible, as Christians do today. Reading Scripture reminds us of who God is and what He has done for His children throughout history (Psalm 77; Psalm 78:4; Romans 15:4). This draws us closer to Him. Another key way to find God is through prayer. The book of Psalm is filled with prayers of confession, pleas for forgiveness, supplication, and praise (Psalm 32, 51, 54, 3, 13). Ultimately, those who put their faith in God can have a relationship with Him through the Spirit (John 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:7).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God would communicate His wishes to the Israelites through the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30), those ancient tools of the priest by which God would clearly indicate "Yes" and "No." During hard times, we probably wish we had an audience with God. We may not hear a “yes” or “no,” but we can reach out to God in prayer and ask for wisdom (Proverbs 2:6).
• The Psalms describe numerous encounters with God through prayer, in confession and forgiveness (such as Psalms 32 and 51), and in times of physical danger (such as Psalm 54). Many times, a Psalm will begin with lamentation regarding a hardship and end with praise to God (such as Psalms 3 and 13).
• We can find God by praying and recalling what he has done for His children throughout history. In Psalm 77, Asaph pours out his heart to God. After saying he diligently searched, he says, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?" (Psalm 77:11-13). Asaph’s words demonstrate heartfelt honesty in prayer, faithfulness and diligence in seeking God, and recollection of God's deeds; all this leads to praising Him.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• God has promised that when we seek Him, we will find Him (Matthew 7:7-8). When times get tough, we should remember this.
• In his address on Mars Hill, Paul noted that God doesn’t live in manmade structures, “[y]et he is actually not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being'” (Acts 17:24-28). Regardless of how we feel, God is always present. He may want to draw out our faith. Other times, our sin and doubt interfere with us experiencing His presence.
• When it seems difficult to find God, we walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:17). We then recall who God is by meditating on His Word and remembering His personal faithfulness in our own lives. This leads us to praise Him.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

What if you allowed sin to overtake you so much that you committed murder to have someone else’s spouse? What if your child died? What if one of your other children tried to forcefully take all you had, even your life?

All of the above describes events in David’s life. Despite his sins, David was said to be “a man after his [God’s] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). David loved God, but as close as he was to Lord, even he sometimes felt that God was not close to him. In Psalm 27, David calls God “my light and my salvation” (v. 1), yet in that same Psalm, he pleads, “Hide not your face from me” (v. 9).

We are created to seek out God (Acts 17:26-27), even though He is spirit and we are flesh (John 4:24). When finding God seems difficult, it probably means that we are”hiding,” not Him. This happens when we are in sin or when we are neglecting spiritual disciplines like regular Bible reading, prayer, and corporate worship. When we put our focus on God, He will not be hidden from us (James 4:8).

UNDERSTAND

• Finding God feels hard because He is spirit, but He promises to be found by those who seek Him.
• Sin and neglecting prayer and Bible reading block our experience of God.
• God is always near, drawing us closer through faith, Scripture, and prayer.

REFLECT

• How might unconfessed sin or neglecting prayer be affecting your ability to sense God’s presence?
• When have you felt distant from God, and how did you respond to draw closer again?
• How do you currently seek God daily, and what changes could help you experience Him more clearly?

ENGAGE

• How does our fleshly nature challenge us in finding and experiencing God?
• How can regular spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and prayer help overcome the obstacles to knowing God?
• How do biblical stories of people feeling distant from God encourage us in our own spiritual journey?