What Should I Do When I Feel Distant from God?
Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. Judges 6:6
When you feel distant from God, the first thing you must consider is why you feel distant from God. Could it be your own disobedience? This was the situation with the people of Israel in Judges 6; they had not obeyed the voice of God (v.10). The Israelites suffered for years at the hands of neighboring nations, but they continued to tolerate or worship pagan idols.
Disobedience will always put distance between God and us. God can never be the problem, so when we are distant from Him, the problem must lie within ourselves. If disobedience pushes us away from God, what will bring us back to Him? Repentance! Repentance is the desire to turn from sin, not just escape the pain of sin.
The good news of God’s discipline or chastisement is that it assures us that we are His children. His desire for us is that we would be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus, “This is My beloved Son, in who I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17), He desires to say of us, “This is My beloved child, in whom I am well pleased.” Our holy Father wants His very best for His children, and the best He can give to us is the character of Jesus. Obedience develops our character; disobedience destroys our character, and God will not sit idly by and watch us destroy ourselves.
Thank You, Lord, for not giving up on me, even when I have given up on myself. Forgive my sin, Lord. I repent of my sin and turn to You. While Your chastisement is not a gratifying experience, it is a guaranteeing experience of Your love for me, and I give You thanks for that. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Arden Taylor, Gray, TN