I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20 NLT)
In the women’s group I am in, we are reading Ann Voskamp’s The Greatest Gift, and already, in the third day of this Advent devotional book, she’s pricked my curiosity with an interesting connection.
The first question in the Old Testament is when God was searching for Adam and Eve after the serpent’s visit: “Where are you?”
The first question in the New Testament is when a group of very learned men from the East came looking for the one prophesied as the Messiah: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”
Each of these questions begin with where.
Ultimately, “where is God” is the question that presents itself over and over in our lives.
Where is God in tragedy? in mundane? in overwhelming joy?
Where is God in this moment?
Today I was talking with God about prayer and healing and when to put our bladder-cancer-striken dog down. I won’t share all that conversation with you, but it led me back to a scripture that has repeatedly been encouraging to me. I’ll give it to you in an adapted form:
But now, Child, listen to the Lord who created you.
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
I AM the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Jesus as a ransom for your freedom; he died in your place.
I traded his life for yours because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.” (adapted from Isaiah 43:1-4 NLT)
“Where are you, God?” is a question I know I have asked many times in my life, especially when I have felt I was “drowning” or “burning up” with my life circumstances. But the answer is always the same: “I AM with you. I AM with you in deep waters and you will not drown. I AM with you in the fires of life, but they will not consume you. I AM the One who is with you because you are precious to me. You are honored. I love you.”
I invite you to reread Isaiah 43 whenever you are asking “Where is God?”
And remember that I AM is with you.
AMEN.
God,
When we wonder, “Where are you, God?” remind us of your presence around and within us. Remind us that we will not drown in the waters or burn in the fires of this life, but that you have called us by name and we are precious to you. In the name of Jesus, our Redeemer, we pray, AMEN.
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you. (Isaiah 43:1-4 NLT)