Where Was God?

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up freely for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)

Have you ever been through such a difficult trial, something so devastatingly painful, that you cried out to God and asked, "God, where were You when I was going through this? Why did I have to go through it alone?"

If you have, beloved, then you are no different than just about every other Christian who has ever lived. At one time or another we have all felt that sensation of being utterly alone, the feeling that God had abandoned us in our time of need. And of such times it is common for us to ask, "Where was God?"

The apostle Paul in writing to the church in Rome revealed something of the character of God that we would do well to take to heart and never forget. He reminded them that God, when faced with the prospect of sacrificing His only begotten Son on the cross for our sins, did not cling to Him, but rather "delivered Him up for us all." You see, no one took Jesus from the Father. God had to hand Him over voluntarily so that we might know forgiveness of sins. He was not "kidnapped" and held for ransom by sinful men. His own heavenly Father gave Him to them to be crucified. That's how much He loves you and me!

So what is the point? The point simply is, as Paul has so beautifully shown us in this verse of Scripture, if God did not withhold His own Son, is He really likely to bail out on you in times of sorrow and grief? I recently received an e-mail containing a story about a lady whose young son had suffered long with cancer and had finally been taken from her. Her cry? "Where was God?" In anguish of heart and mind, she cried out to Him in her distress. And in a very special way, He sent her the answer that her heart needed. He let her know that, while her son lay dying in that hospital bed, He had been right where He was when His own Son was dying on the cross for our sins. He was right there with her!

Where will God be, then, the next time you are suffering, beloved? He will be right beside you. He will feel your pain, weep with you, and walk you through that trial of life into the sunshine of a new and glorious day. Why? Because that's what fathers do! And He is the greatest Father of all. Let me encourage you to seize the promise of God in this verse of Scripture and make it your very own. Where is God now and where will He be whenever you need Him? If you will just look up, you will find yourself looking into His wonderful face.

May the truth of God's Word speak comfort to your hearts now and always.

Ron