By Benjamin H. Liles
Over the past couple of years, while I have been doing this off and on, is to help you see and believe the realness of God. I mean when I was a whole lot younger I could have cared less if He was real. I lived like He didn't exist, but in my heart of hearts I was lying to myself. I realize now, that what I knew back then, was that I was causing myself immense and intense pain. Things I didn't need in the least bit. Okay, so what's the point here?
Follow me a moment and see if this may apply to you: let's say at one time in your younger years you believed God existed. You knew He heard you, walked with you, possibly letting you in on things He was doing. But you got older, people hurt you, these people knew you well and just hindered you in every single way. Now think of how the Devil, our adversary works. Scripture records him as being, "A roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8, New Living Translation).
John records Jesus saying, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10). I'm telling you this because those people who are active in your life, telling you "Oh, God isn't real, He would never listen to you. You're such a screw up, He could never love someone like you!" Those statements represent the truth that scripture is saying and they not only tear you and your faith down, but it paints God as being this far off Being who cares less about you and your needs.
David most likely penned these words in which he felt God was showing him, "Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me" (Psalm 50:15). You see, the truth of the matter is God tells us straight forward He will meet us, but it is our choice to do so. It is upon us, our shoulders to do His commands, to come to Him and lay our burdens down.
Let me ask you this: have you ever had a moment where you felt so ashamed of something you did and you chose to keep it inside and not say anything, choosing to keep it locked up only to feel a burning deep within your heart? It's not good to waste away like that! The same thing happened to a prophet and this is what he said, "But if I say, 'I will not remember Him or speak his anymore in His name,' then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it" (Jeremiah 20:9, New American Standard).
Friend, you feel the way you do at this moment because you know that somehow keeping God at a distance hurts you more than He can ever do to you. That separation will be felt even more so after He judges you and does exactly what you desire the most of Him, which is to stay separate from Him. Yet, there is something you can do about it. That fear you feel is healthy. It is His Spirit actually within you, letting you know not to stay silent about Him. Stand in your faith, regardless the circumstance. Those who persecute God are doing that to Him, not so much to you. Our God is so much bigger than the opposing Giant we face. Remember David and Goliath. Yes, David was a small guy and Goliath was huge, but what did David say before God enabled him to slaughter the Phillistine?
David's words were thus, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hand" (1 Samuel 17:45-47, New King James).
We need to remember the words of Jesus, "Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him" (Mark 11:23, Berean Study). We can stand firm in our faith. We can stand up knowing our God is real and to tell the lying voices, "No, my God is real and He will deliver me from your hand!" This message is for you who may be doubting God is there in your time of need. He is there and ready to help you, but He desires to see your act of faith and courage before He acts. It's the only way we can see Him be our Victor in all things. In Jesus Christ's blessed name I pray, Amen.