GOD DOES NOT TAKE A VACATION
In the light of everything that is going on in our country: The global pandemic; a much needed, renewed focus on justice, racism and policing; increasing unemployment; inadequate access to education; the chipping away of democratic norms; a diminishing of commonly accepted morals and values; voter disenfranchisement and voter suppression; a rise in white supremacist groups and `escalating violence associated with those groups, and these are only the more visible ones, some are questioning, “Where is God?”
Those that ask this question, do so from the position that God is not there. The questions continue, “Perhaps God does not care.” Maybe God does not see what is going on.” “Perhaps God does not care.” These questions are similar to the taunts that Elijah used on the prophets of Baal when Baal did not answer them in 1 Kings 18:27, 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” (NIV)
Unlike Baal, our God is not distracted by deep thought, overwhelmed with busyness, away on vacation nor taking a nap. The Psalmist shared in Psalm 46:1, “1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” God is always there - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. There is never a time when God is not present with us. I may not see God, I may not hear God and I may not feel God, however, I KNOW that God is present. How do I KNOW that God is present?
I KNOW that God is present because God promised me that He would never leave me nor forsake me,
5…for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” 6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Hebrews 13:5, 6 (NRSV)
That is why we do not sing the song, He May Not Come When You Want Him, But He’s Right On Time. Those lyrics suggest that God is somewhere else, doing something else when I need Him, then comes running to me at the last minute. If others find comfort in that, so be it. My comfort, however, is in my God who is a very present help – who is always there with me through whatever I am going. This I know:
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, God’s Spirit is within me
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, God loves me
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, God cares for me
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, God gives me His grace
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, God gives me His mercy
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, God grants me His favor
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, God forgives me
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, God gives me air to breathe
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, God is faithful
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, even when I am not, God is faithful
