Where Is God When I Hurt (Using the NKJ

Introduction:

Probably all have asked this question in one form or another?

It was essentially asked by Habakkuk, David, Job and others. People in trouble of various kinds ask it, especially when it is thought things should be well and pleasant yet they are not

Not just physical pains (i.e. disease, accidents, bruises, broken bones, cuts, etc.)

Also the pain of the heart in times of emotional distress, mental agony, disappointments, betrayals, loss of friends, children going astray, being the target of biting and vicious words or death of loved ones.

People suffer these and many other such things.

Where is God during all of this?

There are some things of which we can be assured from God’s Word

We wil take a look at 5 topic

God’s Presence

As we learn in other lessons, regardless of what is happening, God is aware and God does care. Psalm 139:7-12 shows the attentiveness of God in all circumstances

Psalm 139:7–12 NASB95

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” 12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.

1 Peter 3:12 “12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,...”

and 1 Peter 5:7 “7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Even though there are many alive, God cares for each one. We are never alone

Paraclete

This term refers to the Holy Spirit, and Jesus used the term in reference to the Holy Spirit in His promise of the Spirit’s coming to the apostles after the departure of Christ (John 14, 15, 16)

The Holy Spirit would be the Apostle’s Comforter, guide, and teacher.

We all benefit from this relationship inasmuch as the apostles brought to us the revelation of God’s will as they recieved it from the Holy Spirit.

You may say in what manner do I benefit from the Spirit today?

Romans 8:26–27 NKJV

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

This is a promise to all Christians, and in what manner does the Spirit do this?

Do this exercise and name me one thing you know about God separate and apart from the Bible.

You know nothing, as Romans 10:17 “17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

So the way the Spirit does this is by providing the Word that we may know how to pray and where do we find that?

Matthew 6:5-13 (Read Matthew 6:5-8

Matthew 6:5–8 NKJV

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

And as we live in this post Apostolic age where there is no more miracles being done, we have another Comforter, 1 John 2:1

1 John 2:1 NKJV

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Christ is our Advocate, counselor, advisor, lawyer, attorney, and stands in the court of God on our behalf

But notice also that the Father has committed all judgement unto the Son (John 5:22; Acts 17:30–31 “30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.””

In this way he is not only our lawyer, but also our judge, and for a Christian, it doesn’t get any better than that.

Christ also is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15

Hebrews 4:14–15 NKJV

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

He was in fact tempted in all points as we are, yet He did not sin.

Christ knows and understands

He gives help in time of need

He knows what it is to face hardship and pain.

Such things are not strangers to the Christ.

Providence

While the word “providence” is not in the Bible the concept runs throughout.

Matthew 6:33 “33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” is a promise of God’s providence in material needs.

Abraham, when taking Isaac to the mount for sacrifice, answered Isaac’s question regarding the sacrifice when he asked, “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

Abraham said, “God will provide” (Gen. 22:8).

He called the place Jehovah-jireh, which means Jehovah will provide.

Hebrews 11:8 tells us that Abraham’s faith was so strong that God would keep His promises that he thought God would bring Isaac back to life again.

“8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

We see the providence of God working through Esther for the preservation of the people of God from enemies that sought their destruction.

Joseph recognized the things that happened unto him as the providence of God for preserving his people.

Even though deprived of his home, sold as a slave, mistreated at Potiphar’s house, cast into prison, forgotten by those he befriended, his attitude was, (Genesis 50:19–20 “19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Romans 8:28 includes the assurance that God can make good come from things evil. (2 Corinthians 4:17 “17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,”

Romans 8:18 “18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Paul consider his suffering to have been for the progress of the gospel (Philippians 1:12–14 “12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” .

We have the assurance of God’s overall purpose.

His providence works in harmony with His will.

God is not here to serve us, but we are to serve God.

Some of our disappointments may be God’s appointments for our good.

(Acts 16:7-9) Paul wanted to go to Bithynia but the Holy Spirit directed him another direction; into Macedonia to the spread the gospel there.

Burdens can be blessings in disguise.

Pain can be useful in developing character, such a patience, faith, humility and draw us closer to God.

Hardship can come from the temptations of the devil or self-imposed hardship due to our sin or the sin of others.

But the source of hardship is not the most important thing. What we do with it matters most. Shall we curse God and die?

Help From His People

When Lazarus died, who did Mary and Martha have nearby? Did not they have their friends to comfort them?

Paul tells us of the comfort God gave him (2 Corinthians 1:3–4 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

He found no rest until Titus came to him (2 Corinthians 2:13 “13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” ) who comforted him (2 Corinthians 7:13 “13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.” ).

Paul took courage when brethren from Rome met him as he approached the city (Acts 28:15 “15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.” ).

When we have God’s people around us when we hurt, this is where God is when we hurt.

God uses them to bring solace, peace and relief.

God’s Precepts

(A precept is a general rule)

We have the comfort from scripture (Romans 15:4 “4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” ).

Is not 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 a passage of comfort regarding those who died in the Lord as well as comfort and hope for us?

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 NKJV

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Who can find greater comfort than the words of the Psalm 23 “A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”

But make no mistake, not all problems are not caused by personal sins (Job, John 9, Luke 13).

Also consider Jacob, Trophimus, Epaphroditus, Stephen.

They suffered but not because of their personal sins. Much of our dealing with hurt depends on the extent of our faith in the Word of God.

We are assured of the promises of God.

He keeps His promises 2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 “13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

That simply means there is nothing that will happen this day that God and I together cannot handle

The same assurance is in the words of Paul, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Matthew 5:10–12 contains God’s promises for those who suffer for His sake.

“10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Prayer

When we hurt we have the avenue of prayer to the throne of God.

We can attract the attention of Him in this way.

James tells us prayer can be effective James 5:16 “16 ...The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Psalm 34:15 “15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.”

Psalm 73:1–3 “1 Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” ; 12-17 to learn the answer to where God is when we hurt.

Psalm 73:12–17 NKJV

12 Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. 13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. 15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. 16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me— 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.

We can know the end result for the wicked Psalm 1:6 “6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

What of those times when we receive a negative answer to prayer?

When Lazarus died the Lord delayed His coming.

The answer to Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane was not a deliverance from what He faced.

God may answer, yes, no, or possibly wait.

He may answer with an alternative we have not considered.

He answers prayers of His children in the way He sees best for His children. Is not this the better way? We pray “Thy will be done.”

Here He Is

Where is God when I hurt?

Where was He when His Son was dying on the cross?

Was He not seeking our highest good, which is the definition of love?

Did He not care?

He is with us.

He has sent His “paraclete.” He provides with power, purpose through His people, precepts and prayer.

We have the assurance of being eventually in God’s place.

Jesus promised this in John 14:1–4 “1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.””

Revelation 21:4 “4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.””

Where was God when Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego were in the fiery furnace?

Where was He when Daniel was in the lion’s den?

Where was He when Stephen was being stoned and Paul being beaten and imprisoned?

Where was He when Christ died?

He was right there every step of the way. He will be with us when we cross the Jordan of death.

He has made provision for every care and need that we face.

He will never forsake us nor turn away from us if we be faithful to Him. Believest thou this?