When God seems far, He is still near

All of us can recall a time when God felt incredibly close—maybe when He healed you from sickness, showed up right on time, or answered a certain prayer. But what about other times when we feel displaced, forgotten, or like God is far off—a situation you are praying about seems to be getting worse or not better, unexpected job loss, or a diagnosis?

Sometimes, we tend to associate God with certain circumstances or familiar places, such as at church, but the truth is God is always present.

In the Old Testament, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was devastated after they were exiled to Babylon. They lost their king, so they felt like they lost their direction. They lost their place of worship, so they felt they lost their God. They were thrown into a new culture and seemed to have to start over as though their previous lives meant nothing. I’m sure they struggled to see the purpose for all of it.

But God used a prophet named Ezekiel (and others) to speak to them about God. Like many times in God’s Word, God used pictures to communicate a message about Himself. (Fire represents judgement. A rainbow serves as a reminder of His covenantal grace.) In this case, God used images of four living creatures, moving wheels with eyes all over them, an expanse, and a throne to show His glory to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1).

God showed this 30-year-old priest who was likely unsure of his duty now that he was in exile a terrifying glimpse at the coming judgement, all the while showing him exactly Who He is.

When we are exiles in a world that is counter to everything God is about, it can be hard to see how the Lord is working in it. But the truth is we must have a right view of God’s glory and power in order to have a right perspective of anything else. That is why I believe God chose to reveal His glory, majesty, and power to Ezekiel in the way that He did. He wanted him to know that He is God over the entire world, not just the God over Israel and Judah. He wanted him to know that He is everywhere, all the time, not just in the Most Holy Place in the Temple. He wanted him to know that He knows all things, including what the future holds for His people. He wanted him to see and hear how great God is, to experience His glory.

And the Lord showed all of this to Ezekiel before sending him to speak truth to the people.

“And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’”
Ezekiel 2:3-4

Though we cannot know and understand everything about God and why He allows the things to happen that we go through, we can know and understand that He is always with us and holds all things together for the sake of His holy name.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9

Like Ezekiel, we have to keep God in proper view in order to carry on faithfully as exiles. He saw the Lord’s glory not inside the Temple, which was a familiar, safe place, but while in exile. The vision likely reoriented his calling, his confidence, and his obedience. Our view of God shapes how we respond to loss, confusion, and times of trouble. When we see Him as holy, sovereign, and near, we are empowered to walk faithfully rather than fearfully.

Reflect:

What areas of your life feel like “exile” right now? Are you struggling to see where God is in that place? What would change if you believed He was fully present with you? How might God be using this season to refine your view of Who He is and prepare you to speak truth to others?

1 Peter 1:1-9; Psalm 137; Hebrews 11:13-16; Jeremiah 29:4-7; Lamentations 3:21-24

All scripture references are from the English Standard Version, unless otherwise noted.

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Anna Moore