South Hills Church Community

I have experienced times of amazing closeness to God.  He has seemed so close and real and personal, I could almost touch Him.

Then there are other times when He seems so far away.

Why does He do this?

I have often seen this in new Christians.  For the first six months or so after their conversion, God is powerfully (I mean powerfully) on their side and near to them.  Then He backs away for a while.  I counsel new Christians to expect this.

I found a verse today that helps to make sense of this:

"However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart." 2 Chronicles 32:31

Hezekiah was a good king.  He was faithful to God and God blessed him.  But in the blessing, it says he became proud (2 Chronicles 32:25). 

Someone reading might ask:  Does God need to pull away from our life to see what is really in our heart?  Doesn't He know everything?  My answer: yes, He knows...but we don't and once He pulls away and we respond then both we and God can be honest about it.

If God seems far from you today, it could be a test.  How will you respond?  Will you get bitter?  Will you still trust?  Will you be as obedient when His incredible presence is right there or not?

Bret