Where is God?

Isaiah 63
11Then his people recalled [a]the days of old, the days of Moses and his people— where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, 12who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown, 13who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble; 14like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name.

Families are messy. Brothers and sisters don't get along. One wants to be more important than the other. One thinks they really are more important than the others. Another thinks you have offended them, but you don't know how. People feel they need to protect themselves. People don't communicate so no one knows what is really going on and feel hurt.

Friendships are messy. One day everything is fine, the next you don't know what happened. Unless the friend communicates, you won't know. You don't think you did anything, but how will know if they don't talk to you?

Work is messy. Today, these are the rules. Tomorrow decisions are based on rules you didn't even know existed! Groups have their own cliques and leave others out intentionally because they want to protect their clique...thinking that is a good thing! Gossip! Wow! Work is a hot bed for gossip, but it is always done "just to keep you informed!"

Churches are messy. You walk in and see people you think you know are not living for God. People have their feelings hurt over something said by someone else or what the pastor preached on last Sunday or last month or last year. Someone is hurt because no one spoke to them today. We feel isolated because everyone has their own "Christian friends" and we are not included in that group. 

Messy! Messy! Messy! Messy!

Where is God in all of this? Exactly where He was for the Israelites, for our families, for our work place relationships, for our friendships, for our church. Right here! In Isaiah 63, it starts with the Israelites asking where is the God who did all these great things for us. Where is He? Look at the great things He has done for them and you will see where He was. He parted the sea to rescue them. He gave them the Holy Spirit so they would know what to do at all times if they followed Him. He gave Moses wisdom to guide them. He protected them. He gave them rest. 

He did all that to show them His glory...His love for them. He was there the whole time! He was there when they rebelled and made the golden calf. He was there for them when they were whining and complaining about being rescued from being slaves to the Egyptians because the way back home wasn't easy. He was there!

So, where is God in your family, your friends, your work relationships, your church relationships? He is there! He has always been there! You just have to seek Him. You have to view others through His eyes instead of yours. Then you will see He has been there protecting you, pursuing you, pursuing others, too, protecting others, too.

Instead of seeing the whining, see the hurt...see them through God's eyes. Instead of seeing the selfishness, see the insecurity. Instead of seeing the rude behavior, see their history. Instead of waiting for someone to talk to you, to do something for you, talk to them, do something for them. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself...we must do that. However, the first greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. If we practice that, how can we not put into practice the second greatest commandment which God Himself demonstrates for us every single day?