Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
One of the most common questions that I get as a pastor is, "Where is God in my pain?" Or "How much longer do I have to go through this painful test?" "Where is God in my broken marriage? In my finances? Because I've been struggling financially for so long." "Where's God in my anxiety, when I feel anxious and I've been battling this thing for years and years?” I don't know why you're going through what you're going through.
We all have giants that we're trying to defeat in our lives. The promise of the gospel, the promise that God gives us all throughout the Bible is that He is Emmanuel, God with us. That's really the promise that we have. In our broken relationship, in our depression, anxiety, in the giants that we're trying to kill in our lives, He's with us.
Trouble Is Promised, But So Is His Presence
John chapter 16, verse 33 tells us that in this world, you will have trouble. That's a promise that we have. We're not immune from pain and suffering. We're not going to have this life of ease and comfort. In our verse today, Psalm chapter 27, verse 5, David says, "For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock."
Notice that he says, "For he will conceal me." That means to hide. That's David's way of saying, God is my refuge. When we go through tough seasons, we have a place to go. This is a beautiful reminder that no matter what we're going through, we have a safe refuge, and that's God Himself.
A God Who Understands
Hebrews chapter 4, verse 15 would tell us that we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with us, but we have one, it says, who's been tempted in every way just as we are, yet He did not sin. I love that because it gives me comfort to know that if I take my pain to God, He understands me.
I don't know if you've ever had a conversation where you just felt understood and you're like, "He gets me" or "They get me," and that's our God. When we're wrestling with doubt, depression, anxiety, whatever it is that we're wrestling with, we can take our pain to God and know that He's a loving Father that delights in hearing from us.
Sometimes I'm like, "Lord, aren't you tired of me? I'm going to You with the same thing over and over, same worry over and over." No, He wants to hear from us. He delights in hearing from us. When you look at the world, the refuge that they turn to—pornography, the bottle, shopping, gambling—this is to self-medicate. We have a God that when we enter into His presence, we get strength and peace.
Fresh Perspective
Here's another thing that we get. Notice David says, "He will place me out of reach on a high rock." Pay attention to that phrase, "on a high rock." When we get on a high rock, we get fresh perspective.
I don't know what you're navigating through right now, but I want to remind you that God is your refuge. When you go to the Lord's presence, not only will He strengthen you, but He will give you a fresh perspective. Just like He said, "He will place me out of reach on a high rock." The Lord is your strength. Turn to Him.
