It Depends

As you are well-aware, it is those times when you are least aware of God’s strength that you need His strength the most. When everything in view is degenerating rapidly and the warning light of life is flashing critical, you need spiritual strength.

You need the surge of the Spirit. You need to hear the voice of God comforting and encouraging you while directing angelic fire down on the enemy bastion.

And what do you get?

It depends on who you are listening to. If you listen to the enemy, he will declare with confidence that God is elsewhere. He intones, “Indeed, God’s grace and sufficiency are great, but it seems they stop just short of where you are. He does care, but He just stepped out and left the answering machine on.

It reminds you of the game hide-and-seek, doesn’t it?”

On the other hand, if you listen to God, you might not hear much at all. There isn’t really anything to discuss, no need left unmet, no concern unattended, no inherent weakness, no crisis necessitating an emergency declaration from heaven’s throne.

It isn’t that God is distant or indifferent. When He says, “Be strong,” it isn’t the same as being told as a child, “Be strong. Big boys don’t cry.” It is a loving reminder, an exhortation, a reminder of the facts. “Be strong in My strength,” which dwells in you.

When it appears that you are caught in a game of hide-and-seek with God, I encourage you to do two things:

First, check to see if you are the one hiding. If so, you know what to do.

Second, if you aren’t hiding from God, then look for God. But remember, He is always in the same place:

In you.