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“I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”   Job 23:8-10a  (NLT)

You know the story of Job. In a short time, he lost everything – his great wealth, all of his children, his health, and finally, it seemed to him that he lost the presence of God. Some of us can relate to Job’s anguish when we feel God’s presence has left us. I’ve never been through a trial of the magnitude of Job’s, but I have been in dark and lonely places.

One such experience happened after my husband died. For some reason unknown to me, I entered a period of testing. It felt like God had withdrawn from me. My prayers seemed to be going no higher than the top of my head. I searched my heart, trying to find some area of my life that wasn’t pleasing to God. I couldn’t find any, so I prayed that He would reveal any unknown sins so I could repent. There was still no response from the Almighty.

Job looked for God in the east, the west, the north, and the south, but couldn’t find Him. I looked for Him in my Bible reading and prayer. Praying seemed fruitless then, but I continued. I didn’t know why He had withdrawn His presence from me. Emotions swirled around me: frustration, grief, and guilt, thinking this must somehow be my fault. Job must have gone through similar feelings, only much worse. I asked my friends to pray for me. Fortunately, I had better friends than Job did.

I clung to the knowledge that God knew where I was, even though I didn’t know where He was. Then, just as mysteriously as it had started, the sweet presence of God surrounded me once more. I can’t explain it. I hope I never go through that again, but if it does happen, I will have the confidence that experience brings: He is still there, even though I can’t feel Him near.

If you are going through something similar right now, hang on! Search your heart to ensure there is nothing between you and your Lord, then stand firm. Like Paul said, “…having done all, to stand.” He is with you even when you can’t feel His presence.

“Father, I pray for my sisters who are going through their own dark places. Help them to know You are God and You haven’t left them, even if they don’t feel Your presence. I ask that You give them special protection until their time of trial is over.”

For His Glory

Cherie Harbridge Williams (www.cherieharbridgewilliams.com)
TRBC Women’s Life