When the regime of a repressive dictator was overthrown in 1979, most citizens of Uganda felt a great sense of relief. Even in the midst of disarray and destruction, the people celebrated when the government changed hands.
The comment of one happy citizen, though, expresses how many Christians respond to adversity. He said, "I stopped going to church because I thought God had forgotten us. Now I can go again."
An opinion like that isn’t new. Through the years, many of God’s children have made the mistake of thinking the Lord had abandoned them when times got bad. Job cried out, "Oh, that I knew where I might find Him!" (Job 23:3). We too can so quickly fall into that pattern of thinking. Somehow we feel that God and good times always go hand in hand. And someday they will – in heaven. But now it’s too different. Trouble periodically rolls in like a heavy fog, and we must take by faith that the fact that God is very much with us, even though we may not sense His presence.
God always sees us. Nothing gets by Him or escapes His notice. He always knows and cares. The question is whether we will continue to be as trusting as He is faithful. Will we be good and godly even when times are bad?
– Martin R De Haan II
Trust in Him, ye saints, forever –
He is faithful, changing never;
Neither force nor guile can sever
Those He loves from Him. – Kelly
READ: Job 23:1-12
The presence of trouble does not mean the absence of God.