God, Where Are You?Sample

Day 1: Finding God

Have you ever cried out, “God, where are You?” in the midst of life’s most difficult moments? Have you ever wondered if God was mad at you, or questioned whether He was even there? Life’s circumstances have a way of making God’s presence feel distant. We’re used to recognizing God when things are good—when we get the new job, the house, the car, or the spouse. But what about when the doctor’s report brings devastating news? When the marriage is falling apart? When your mental health is spiraling out of control? Where is God then?

For the next five days, we’re going to intentionally look for God in the midst of difficulty—specifically, in the stories of people in Scripture who faced hard moments. This journey will challenge us to identify God not by how we want Him to show up, but by who He is. We’ll learn to look for His attributes—because He is always present, even when His presence feels hidden.

Here are the attributes we’ll focus on over the next few days:

1. God’s Love – His patience and kindness that lead us into all truth.
2. God’s Instruction – His teaching that shows us how to live holy.
3. God’s Faithfulness – His commitment to His Word, His promises, and His way.
4. God’s Foresight – His knowledge of the future and how we and others will respond.

Each day, after we identify where these attributes show up in Scripture, we’ll look for that same attribute in our own difficult circumstances. You may be surprised to find how close and present God has been—even in the moments that felt the most lonely and dark.

Today’s scripture, Jeremiah 29:13, is a promise God gave to the prophet Jeremiah for the people of Israel. They were in Babylonian captivity—it seemed like God had left them. But in the middle of slavery, oppression, and what felt like abandonment, God gave them a promise: “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

God wasn’t far from their pain. In fact, He was right there with them, ready to be found. Let’s seek the Lord—in the hard places, in the pain, and in the darkness—and trust that He will be found by us.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, help us to seek You with our whole hearts, even in situations that are difficult and painful. Don’t let us only focus on who we want You to be. Help us to see You for Who You are and how You show up. Open our eyes, Lord—we desire to see You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you been looking for God only in the ways you want Him to appear?
2. Which of God’s attributes do you need most in your current situation?
3. Can you think of a time when, in hindsight, you realized God was present all along?