[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 29/May/2018]
We have recently enjoyed the beautiful sight of the bluebells in the local woods. This year I was reminded of a time when our children were very young and we took them for a woodland walk. At one point we went off the path and after a while we lost track of where we were and which way to go. Then Barbara said, “I think we’re lost.” I didn’t think we were lost – I knew we were lost. But our 5 year old daughter said something that surprised me, “Don’t worry mummy, daddy’s here.” What faith a little girl had in her dad. Fortunately her faith was rewarded. We came to the edge of a field and on the other side was a road, which we found with relief led back to our car.
Even when we are trusting in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, there are still times in our lives when we feel lost and don’t know where we are going. I have felt this over the past few years with a decline in my health just as others have felt the same way too. It seems that God is far away in His heavenly realms. Psalm 113:5-6 puts it very well:
Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth.
But we also need to remember that He says in Isaiah 57:15:
I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in heart.
Elijah found this out in his own life when having defeated the prophets of Baal, he ran away from Queen Jezebel who threatened to kill him. As a result he experienced great depression and wanted to die. With fatigue he fell asleep and when he woke up an angel gave him food and drink to strengthen him. Then he heard God’s voice. “What are you doing here Elijah?” Did you notice that God used the word “here”? He was right there with Elijah in his time of need and restored his faith in Him.
We may all face problems in life with depression, illness, financial troubles, broken relationships and many others, and it’s at that sort of time that we can easily forget that we have a heavenly Father who is right here with us and never leaves us. Remember, “Don’t worry, Abba, Father, Daddy is here.” All we need is the faith of a little child.
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Contributed by Michael Goble; © the Author
