Where are You God?

Key verse: "And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?" Exodus 17:7

Many times, especially as baby Christians, we become cranky and doubt God is with us because we are not getting anything from Him. We want what we want and we want it NOW. We throw fits, mope and cry and say, "God must not love me!" or "Is He even real or there at all?" or as adolescent Christians we might say, "If You really loved me, You'd give me this!"

Just like the Israelites, our spiritual maturity is tested when we are in the desert. As I began the discipline of daily reading the Bible, there were periods of dryness where it seemed God wasn't speaking to me or answering me as quickly as I would like Him to. I could not "feel" His presence nor was I getting anything from Him. (or so I thought). But He was developing maturity and discipline in my life. Would I only seek Him and spend time with Him because of what He gave me?

Imagine a child only wanting to spend time with its father as long as the father had something for the child? How would that make the father feel? And if the father decided to delay or not give the child what he/she wanted, the child became angry, sulked and withheld affection from the father. That is a spoiled, ungrateful and immature child. What's worse, if the father allowed that kind of continued behavior, he would have a spoiled, ungrateful adult child.

So where are you today? Are you grateful for the things God has done for you and given you? He loves to give His children gifts but is that the only reason you come to Him? And if He isn't giving You what You want right NOW, are you withholding the affection He so rightly deserves?


Father God,
You are not only the Lord Who Provides, but the Lord My Banner. From You I receive everything I need like the manna the children of Israel received in the desert. You are the One who conquers our enemy and has won the battle over death through Your Son Jesus.

So many times in my early walk with You I only sought Your hand instead of Your face. You gave me so many wonderful gifts when I was first born. And You continue to give me wonderful gifts. But Your desire is that I would seek the Gift-Giver more than the gifts. There have been lessons in my life, some very difficult, that You have used to develop self-discipline, patience, mercy, grace and humility. My faith has grown strong regardless of how I feel at any given moment.

Thank You for being patient with me. Thank You for giving me just the right amount of discipline to turn me back to You. Thank You for not allowing me to become a spoiled adult. Thank You for humbling me and reminding me, like Joshua, that apart from You I can do nothing.

I pray for those today that may be frustrated or discouraged or even angry with You. Let them see that You are working everything out for their good. You are more concerned with their character than with their comfort. Develop us into spiritual oaks, whose roots go down deep, so that when times of dryness or famine or disaster or trial come, we will not fall or fall away. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.