The boys’ mother heard that a preacher in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys.
The preacher agreed, but he asked to see them individually. So, the mother sent the 8-year-old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see the preacher in the afternoon.
The preacher, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, “Do you know where God is, son?”
The boy’s mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open. So, the preacher repeated the question in a much louder and very stern tone, “Where is God?!”
The boy screamed & bolted from the room, ran directly home and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, “What happened?”
The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, “We are in BIG trouble this time. GOD is missing, and they think we did it!”
A cute story, to be sure. And yet, the question posed by the pastor is one that many people ask in real life.
Where is God… when my heart is breaking… when I can’t pay my bills… when I’ve lost my job… when my spouse wants a divorce…?
Where is God… when children are starving around the world… when disease is destroying people’s lives… when senseless wars are raging… when politics wreaks havoc with my life?
Often, behind the question “Where is God?” is a sense of unfairness, even fear.
The truthful answer? Right beside you! God told the people of Israel – and his word is still true and powerful today, “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)
Claim his promise. Then open the eyes of your heart and see him right there.
