Finding God in Seasons of Distance and Doubt
Summary
### Summary
In life, we often encounter seasons where God feels distant, much like driving through a dense fog where visibility is limited. These moments can leave us feeling uncertain and alone. However, it's important to remember that feeling God's presence isn't the only evidence of His reality. Faith is not dependent on our emotions but on the truth of God's Word. The Bible reassures us that God is always with us, even when we can't feel Him. Psalm 139 reminds us that there is no place we can go where God is not present. Deuteronomy 31 and Jesus' words in the Great Commission further affirm that God will never leave or forsake us.
Sometimes, our feelings of God's absence are due to relying too heavily on our emotions, which are fickle and unreliable. Instead, we should anchor our faith in the unchanging truth of God's Word. Another reason for feeling distant from God could be a hardened heart, often caused by unrepentant sin. Sin acts as a barrier, much like layers of winter clothing that insulate us from the cold, preventing us from experiencing God's presence. Repentance restores our relationship with God, as seen in Psalm 32.
Moreover, God may allow us to feel His absence to draw us closer to Him. Difficult seasons often produce the most growth, creating a longing in our hearts to seek Him more earnestly. Psalm 27 encourages us to seek God's face and wait for Him, trusting in His timing and presence even when we can't feel it. Ultimately, God's promises are true, and He is always near, guiding and providing for us in ways we may not immediately recognize.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith Over Feelings: Our faith should not be based on our fluctuating emotions but on the steadfast truth of God's Word. Emotions can be misleading, but God's promises are unchanging. Trusting in His Word provides a solid foundation for our faith, even when we don't feel His presence. [05:15]
2. The Barrier of Sin: Unrepentant sin can harden our hearts and create a barrier between us and God. Just as layers of clothing insulate us from the cold, sin insulates us from experiencing God's presence. Repentance is key to restoring our relationship with God and feeling His nearness. [10:26]
3. God's Ever-Present Help: Scripture reassures us that God is always with us, regardless of our feelings. Psalm 139 and Deuteronomy 31 remind us that there is no place we can go where God is not present. His promise to never leave or forsake us is a source of comfort and strength. [06:55]
4. Seeking and Waiting: When God feels distant, it's an invitation to seek His face and wait for Him. Psalm 27 encourages us to pursue a deeper relationship with God, not for immediate solutions but to know Him more intimately. Waiting on the Lord strengthens our faith and trust in His timing. [18:02]
5. Growth Through Trials: Difficult seasons often lead to the most significant spiritual growth. When we reach the end of our strength and resources, we are more likely to turn to God. These challenging times create a deeper dependence on His grace and remind us of our need for His presence in our lives. [15:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:14] - Feeling God's Absence
[02:18] - Biblical Examples of Feeling Distant
[04:10] - Reasons for Feeling Distant
[05:15] - Faith Over Feelings
[06:11] - God's Ever-Present Help
[07:28] - God's Promises
[08:00] - Identity in Christ
[09:12] - Hardened Hearts
[10:26] - The Barrier of Sin
[12:06] - Repentance and Restoration
[13:48] - Drawing Closer to God
[15:15] - Growth Through Trials
[16:01] - Seeking and Waiting
[18:02] - Trusting God's Timing
[19:43] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:7-10: "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."
2. Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
3. Psalm 27:8, 14: "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek... Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 139, what does the psalmist say about God's presence? How does this passage reassure us of God's constant presence? [06:55]
2. In Deuteronomy 31:6, what command and promise does God give to His people? How does this relate to the theme of God's ever-present help? [07:28]
3. What does Psalm 27 encourage us to do when God feels distant? How does this align with the sermon's message about seeking and waiting on God? [16:01]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "Faith Over Feelings" challenge the way we typically perceive God's presence in our lives? Why is it important to base our faith on God's Word rather than our emotions? [05:15]
2. What are some ways unrepentant sin can act as a barrier between us and God? How does repentance restore our relationship with Him? [10:26]
3. How can difficult seasons in life lead to spiritual growth and a deeper dependence on God? What does this teach us about God's purpose in allowing us to feel His absence at times? [15:15]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply the principle of "Faith Over Feelings" in similar situations in the future? [05:15]
2. Is there any unrepentant sin in your life that might be hardening your heart and creating a barrier between you and God? What steps can you take to address this and seek God's forgiveness? [10:26]
3. When God feels distant, how can you actively seek His face and wait for Him, as encouraged in Psalm 27? What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God during these times? [16:01]
4. Think about a recent trial or difficult season you have gone through. How did it impact your faith and dependence on God? What did you learn about God's presence and provision during that time? [15:15]
5. How can you remind yourself of God's promises and presence in your daily life, especially when you don't feel His nearness? What specific scriptures or practices can help you stay anchored in His truth? [06:55]
6. In what ways can you support and encourage others in your small group who may be feeling distant from God? How can you share the truths from this sermon to help them find comfort and strength? [02:18]
7. Identify one area of your life where you need to trust God's timing and presence more fully. What steps can you take this week to lean into His promises and wait for His guidance? [18:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Anchored in Truth, Not Emotions
In our spiritual journey, it's easy to rely on our emotions to gauge our faith. However, emotions are fickle and can lead us astray. True faith is anchored in the unchanging truth of God's Word. When we don't feel God's presence, it doesn't mean He is absent. The Bible reassures us that God is always with us, regardless of our feelings. Trusting in His promises provides a solid foundation for our faith, even in times of emotional turbulence. [05:15]
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: Think of a recent time when you felt distant from God. How can you remind yourself of His promises and presence, even when your emotions tell you otherwise?
Day 2: The Barrier of Sin
Unrepentant sin can create a barrier between us and God, much like layers of clothing that insulate us from the cold. This barrier can harden our hearts and prevent us from experiencing God's presence. Repentance is key to breaking down this barrier and restoring our relationship with God. When we confess our sins and turn away from them, we open ourselves up to feel God's nearness once again. [10:26]
Psalm 32:3-5 (ESV): "For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin."
Reflection: Is there a sin in your life that you have not confessed to God? Take a moment to repent and ask for His forgiveness, and notice how it changes your sense of His presence.
Day 3: God's Ever-Present Help
Scripture reassures us that God is always with us, no matter where we are or what we are going through. Psalm 139 and Deuteronomy 31 remind us that there is no place we can go where God is not present. His promise to never leave or forsake us is a source of comfort and strength, especially in times of uncertainty and fear. [06:55]
Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV): "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Reflection: Reflect on a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you draw strength and comfort from the knowledge that God is with you and will never leave you?
Day 4: Seeking and Waiting
When God feels distant, it's an invitation to seek His face and wait for Him. Psalm 27 encourages us to pursue a deeper relationship with God, not for immediate solutions but to know Him more intimately. Waiting on the Lord strengthens our faith and trust in His timing. This period of seeking and waiting can be a time of significant spiritual growth and deeper dependence on God. [18:02]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek God's presence this week? Consider setting aside specific times for prayer, worship, and reading Scripture, and be patient as you wait for Him.
Day 5: Growth Through Trials
Difficult seasons often lead to the most significant spiritual growth. When we reach the end of our strength and resources, we are more likely to turn to God. These challenging times create a deeper dependence on His grace and remind us of our need for His presence in our lives. Embrace these trials as opportunities for growth and a deeper relationship with God. [15:15]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced or are currently facing. How can you view this challenge as an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper dependence on God?
Quotes
1. "Maybe we pray, and we don't feel anything. We don't hear anything. Maybe during worship. We. We see people crying because the Spirit is moving, or the Gospel is landing on them and convicting them, and yet you feel nothing. Or maybe you read your Bible, and you don't understand it. There are these seasons in our lives when it feels as if God is really far away. And it's in those moments. What do we do? How do we respond? How do we live in faith when it feels as if you're all alone?" [01:14] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reality is that faith is not dependent on emotions, but it's dependent on God. It's dependent on these truths, this gift of God that says, that I'm going to have confidence in what I cannot see. I'm going to have the assurance that God is who he says he is, and that he's doing what he has promised to do in his word. And so faith, if we always felt God, we wouldn't have to step out in faith and trust that God is here with me, even when he feels far away." [06:11] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It's this picture of God's presence being wherever you go. He knows when you rise. He knows when you sleep. He is with you always. There's no place that you can go that is beyond the reach of God. How comforting is that to know? Or in Deuteronomy chapter 31, it's God declaring, For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you. He will not leave you or abandon you. It's this promise of God saying, I will be with you wherever you go." [06:55] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Even when he seems distant, even when I am in the darkness, he has a heart that is for me, and he is near me and in Christ. By grace, through faith, I am near to God. Right? It's this love that was displayed on the cross that said, You are mine, that you are forgiven, and that we are no longer going to have sin separate us, but we are going to be united in faith because of my love for you. And now wherever you go, I will be with you." [08:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "But really the thing that sometimes, and generally most often, puts us in this category is sin. I talked about it last week with this idea of original sin, and how we are all prone, prone to sin. And it's ultimately sin, the things that displease God, that we do, that we think, that we say, that separate us from his presence. And oftentimes it's this ongoing, unrepentant sin that, that is ultimately hardening our hearts to feeling God's presence." [10:26] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Have you ever noticed that sometimes in our lives it's the difficult seasons, the difficult moments that help us grow the most. Another way to think about it is challenges often produce the best in us. When we get to the end of ourselves, the end of our strength, when our resources can't go any further and that the situation or the what's going on in our lives is completely outside of our control, we desperately and finally turn to him. And so sometimes when God feels far away, what he's doing is he's creating this longing, this craving in our heart to seek him, to pursue him, to remember that I am dependent on him." [15:15] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When it feels, as if God is far away, the time isn't to give up. It's the time to lean in, to chase after him, to pursue him. And whatever that is, that looks different for each one of us. Maybe it's opening up his word and just sitting there. Maybe it's playing worship music and listening and just allowing the words to be spoken over you. Maybe it's praying. Maybe it's going on a walk with nothing else but just you and your thoughts and allowing God to speak into that. But we seek his face. And as we seek his face we wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Wait for the Lord." [18:02] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So one day the fog will lift and you will be able to see once again the goodness of God that has always been there. God's peace and strength be with you today and always. Amen." [20:38] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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