One of the hardest feelings we ever have to wrestle with is the sense that God is distant or silent, especially when life seems to unravel. It’s easy to wonder, especially in our darkest moments—does God even see what I’m going through? And if He sees, does He care?
But what if the times we sense God’s absence are exactly when He is closest, most present, and deeply engaged in ways we can’t yet see?
This Sunday, we’re diving deeper into week two of our series, Breaking Up with the Wrong God, with a message titled “Where Is God When Life Falls Apart?” Our journey will focus on Luke 13:31-35, a moment of powerful compassion and surprising vulnerability from Jesus. As He approaches Jerusalem, knowing rejection and suffering await Him, He doesn’t run away. Instead, He moves towards the very place and people who misunderstand Him, lamenting with deep emotion:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34, ESV)
This image of Jesus longing to gather and protect His people like a mother hen sheltering her chicks reveals something extraordinary about God’s character. It shatters our misconceptions about God’s absence. Jesus isn’t distant; He isn’t detached. He is passionately present, even when we’re blind to His presence.
Sometimes life feels like it’s spiraling out of control. Illness strikes unexpectedly, disrupting plans and hopes. Relationships, even within our own families, fracture and leave us heartbroken and confused. In these painful moments, our hearts cry out in confusion, asking where God is amidst our suffering.
Yet, as we’ll discover in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is not observing our struggles from afar. He’s deeply involved. Jesus enters our brokenness, experiences our pain, and carries it Himself. His journey into Jerusalem is not a reluctant march; it’s a purposeful stride toward our redemption. He is present, determined, and profoundly compassionate, even when we don’t recognize Him standing beside us.
In Jeremiah 26:8-15, the prophet Jeremiah also faced intense rejection and threats against his life. Yet he boldly proclaimed God’s truth, confident that even in rejection and danger, God was right there. Jeremiah understood that God’s presence isn’t proven by smooth sailing; instead, it’s often most powerfully known through adversity.
So what does this mean for us today?
It means God hasn’t abandoned you. Right in the heart of your pain—whether illness, estrangement, anxiety, or confusion—God is already at work. Even now, He’s actively moving towards you, ready to embrace, heal, and guide. This sermon is your invitation to see afresh just how close God truly is, especially when you feel He couldn’t be further away.
This Sunday, prepare to meet a God who is closer and more compassionate than you’ve dared imagine.
To help you get the most spiritually from this Sunday’s sermon, consider these practical steps:
- Read and pray over Luke 13:31-35 and Jeremiah 26:8-15. Invite God to speak to you personally through His Word.
- Pray for the pastor and worship team. Ask God to guide and inspire them so they can effectively communicate His truth.
- Pray for everyone attending. Ask the Holy Spirit to open hearts and minds, allowing each person to experience God’s Word in a fresh, transformative way.
- Take notes during the sermon. Writing down key insights can significantly enhance your recall and help you apply what you’ve learned well beyond Sunday.
- Resolve to act. Identify at least one practical takeaway from the sermon, and commit to putting it into practice this week.
I’m excited for us to explore this together. God is near—and I believe He wants to reveal Himself powerfully in your life. See you Sunday!
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