Spiritually Unequal Marriage

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When God’s Not There

I read an interesting devotional yesterday that talked about 2 Chronicles 32:31: "God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart."…

IStock_000010633985XSmall I read an interesting devotional yesterday that talked about 2 Chronicles 32:31:

"God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart." (NLT)

I remember one time God did this with me. I’d recommitted my life to Christ a couple years earlier and suddenly one day my quiet time became “dry.” And I do mean parched. I recall crying out to God day after day, asking where He was. Slowly the understanding came that God had purposely withdrawn His presence to test me.

Now this wasn’t something I’d learned about in church. In fact, when I expressed my spiritual state to my pastor and that I felt God was purposely showing me something by doing it, he seemed rather baffled. (Later he brought up the subject and shared he had a better understanding of why God does this.)

This was definitely a hands-on experience and not a pleasant one, to be honest. The point I’m trying to make here though is that even when God backed off to teach me what my starved spiritual state would be without Him, technically He was still there revealing His truth. And the best advice I received during that time was to keep my discipline of meeting with God. My closeness to Him would return, and it did.

I know there are times when we feel more distant from God for various reasons, especially so when life throws us some unexpected curves, which seems to happen a lot these days. Be reassured that no matter your position, God sees you.

Let me say that again. God sees YOU. He knows your needs. He knows what’s breaking your heart because it breaks his too.

He has a plan, and plan for good, because He is good, and He is love, and He is so wonderfully worthy of our love and praise. Whether you’re in streams of water or dry desert, God is there and He cares.

Praying and believing,
Dineen

Comments

12 responses

  1. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    I always ponder these accounts where God withdraws. It’ fascinating to me. I have felt this as well and I sure don’t like it.
    Thanks Dineen. Have a great day. Hugs. Lynn

    Reply
  2. Thena Avatar
    Thena

    Even though we know He’s always there sometimes we just need to be reminded.

    Reply
  3. Shelley Avatar
    Shelley

    Thank you

    Reply
  4. Heather Tipton Avatar
    Heather Tipton

    Neen, you are so right. Thanks for this

    Reply
  5. Cherie Hill Avatar
    Cherie Hill

    Dineen,
    I actually referenced that same Scripture in my blog “The Pop Quiz.” In times of testing, God is trying us in order to prove us. It’s been said, “You should never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the Light.” AND we should never forget His promises. He is with us ALWAYS.
    http://cheriehillblog.blogspot.com (The Pop Quiz)
    Blessings to you!
    Cherie

    Reply
  6. Dineen Avatar
    Dineen

    Oh Cherie, I love that quote by Raymond Edman! It’s so perfect and so true.
    Thank you, Ladies! Love your comments, as always. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Danica Avatar
    Danica

    Thanks Dineen. I needed this today.

    Reply
  8. save a failing marriage Avatar
    save a failing marriage

    Thank you very much Dineen, this puts everything into perspective.
    James

    Reply
  9. pam Avatar
    pam

    Great scripture….I had a 6 year parched, dry as a desert season….wow, what He found in my heart. Lots of ugly. But even after walking with Him for over 40 years and soaking in His Word I needed a good long spell for a lot of hidden ugly to be revealed. Glory what He did and I’ve only just emerged from the desert into the cool green valley. He lifted me up to that mountain in a glorious moment through the hands of one of His beloved. Now I’m walking in hope again.
    He is a restorer of the years that the locust, that He allowed, devoured us. It is coming…I know it. I just don’t know what it will look like. So I press in, abiding, focusing on my relationship with Him…all else will follow.
    Amen…He does see us, He knows so much more about us than we even know….He NEVER walks away. Oh it’s so good to go through those times. Not fun…but so good.

    Reply
  10. Dineen Avatar
    Dineen

    Thanks for stopping by, Danica.
    James, great to have you here too.
    Pam, I had to smile at your comment. Only those who have walked those time can say they are good because we now see the good the comes from it. LOL! You are so right. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Karen Evans Avatar
    Karen Evans

    Last night I had a dry desert moment and felt that the presence of God had departed and went on vacation. I was scared, alone, and didn’t know who I could talk to. I just sat on the edge of my bed and didn’t even want to move. After about 30 minutes of heavy emotion I began to sqeeze out the praise song “Creat in me a Clean Heart”. Then I heard His voice in my heart say to me – I’m here. Your article was a timely one for me. Thank you and God bless!

    Reply
  12. Dineen Avatar
    Dineen

    I’m so glad, Karen. Love how God met you right where you were. He loves you so much!

    Reply

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