Where Are You?!

Psalm 79: 9 – 10          TPT

Our hero, come and rescue us! O God of the breakthrough, for the glory of your name, come and help us! Forgive and restore us; heal us and cover us in your love. Why should all the nations sneer at us, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” Now is the time, Lord.

Asaph mourned the diminished standing of Israel. Where it once was a formidable and glorious nation, the foreign nations no longer held it in awe, no longer did they fear the prowess of the Israelites or their God.

Under David, the nations came to know the God of Israel. They learned that Israel had a defender, a mighty and powerful God who would proactively fight for Israel. Under Solomon, all the world marveled at the wealth and beauty of Israel, as well as its king’s wisdom. Israel was feared and admired. During the time of Asaph, Israel had lost its luster. Foreign nations had begun to invade the nation with increasing frequency and confidence. They taunted Israel as the would later taunt Jesus, “Where is this God of yours?”

Perhaps the most grievous aspect of this verse and its haunting question which plagued the nation of Israel throughout history, is that it is as fresh a stinging refrain today as during any other time in history. The barbs of this enigmatic taunt prick the very soul of the modern day believer, “Where is your God? Show us this Almighty, powerful God of yours!”

Does your heart seize in reflection of this question come taunt? Do you feel, as did Asaph, the ridicule of our faith and our God? Where is this all knowing, all powerful deity who is supposed to be more than a God to us; He who proclaims to be, foremost, a Father to the faithful? Where is your God? Show me!

What was it that caused the God of David and Solomon to recede into the heavens? Was God angry? Is He now? I don’t truly believe in an angry God. Yes, He has emotions and anger is one of them but He also taught us not to let the sun go down on our anger which was His way of saying, “Get over it! Deal with your anger and put it to bed.” Therefore, I do not think He has withdrawn any part of Himself because of anger? What then? Does He love us any less? Maybe David and Solomon were just special people or the nation of Israel under them showed a better class of faithfulness than do we.

David and Solomon were both flawed. Their lust for women crippled their faith so they were no more perfect than we. The people of those days struggled with faith and sin just as painfully as do we. No, I don’t believe the answer is in an angry God or a more righteous people. Then what was it?

This is a question best pondered in your heart for the question is more important than me having an answer for you. We are not perfect, but we have been called to righteousness. Jesus, though, is our righteousness so we do not even have to be our own righteousness. Therefore, the fact that we are not perfect is not the stumbling block. In fact, Jesus called himself the stumbling block. What could he have meant by that?

The question to which I really do want an answer is, “How do we show the nations of the world the glory, power and beauty of our God?” What is our answer to the question, “Where is this God of yours?” It does taunt me so even as I ask you to consider this query, I seek our beloved and His answer? Where are you, O God of my faith? Where is your glory in this generation? Have you fallen asleep? Have I failed you? At the end of all things, Father, at the end of all inquiry, I know that you are the loving God of Israel and Ivey. I know that you are alert and present. You love all the people that I represent with this Word of the Day and your compassion for them is deeper than the deepest ocean. Your love for them is ever expanding as with the universe. And knowing this Father, I ask and require of you to speak to your people. Give us hearts of understanding. Bring alive your spiritual gifts within us so that we might hear and learn. Lead us, as you have promised, in the way we should go. Bless our coming in and going out and teach us to praise you with a jubilance that would make David jealous. Shine down upon us glorious Lord as we turn our minds and hearts towards the celebration of Jesus’ birth. I pray, Father, that this year you will activate, within each of us, a new and special affection for You and Your son. Touch our spirits, Lord, and bring us into a new space with you which will forever bind us closer and closer with you. Let this be the Christmas season that changes our lives forever. I love you Lord!