Where is God?

Blog Post July 10, 2022

Abby Harrough

There are always tough questions. Why did my pet rabbit die? How come we have to move? Why didn't I get the promotion? Why can't my son stop drinking? Where is God in the midst of my pain? One of the most significant lies is believing that everything will be fine once you accept Jesus. Really? Where does it say that in scripture? In fact, Jesus himself tells us we will have trouble. (John 16:33) How can we see God's protection? The story of Lazarus is an excellent place to start.

Jesus was friends with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. When Lazarus became ill, Jesus didn't come right away to heal him. He waited four days, and Lazarus died. When Jesus finally went to console the sisters, Lazarus had already been buried and in the grave for four days. You can read the complete story in John 11, but I would draw your attention to verses 41-43: They took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this to benefit the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he said this, Jesus loudly said, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

We are bound by the evil in the world. It is called sin. But even death and evil have a purpose in God's plan, for he is still in control. God wants to draw all men to him. Jesus' words should comfort us. God hears us when we pray, we can believe God will do what he says, we can rise from our sufferings, and the grave has no hold on us. Let God use your trail as a testimony that draws others into His Kingdom.