GOD WHERE ARE YOU?!? ARE YOU NEARBY? ARE YOU HERE?

GOD WHERE ARE YOU ? !

ARE YOU NEARBY? ARE YOU HERE? ARE YOU WITHIN?

February 10, 2026

I know what it is to go through those moment of struggle, of the questionable uneasiness of asking the question why? Times when we feel that God is so far away that we don’t even know how to experience His closeness much less be a dwelling place.

In these moments we are asking the question loudly and with great passion and distress “God – Where are You? Particularly it happens during times of trials and temptations, it happens when we are struggling with life, when we have allowed the voice of evil filled with unhealthy distractions to take over. We stumble in our faith, we trip up on our mistakes and settle for less than what God has planned for us.

As I think on this morning – I cling to the words of Isaiah 43:2” When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” 

But then there is the why. Why will God not leave me, why will God always be present, why through whatever I am going through is God still present, still loving, still guiding, still providing. The why is answered in other verses of Isaiah 43 because God loves us, God has bought us with a price, we have been saved, we have been redeemed and most importantly we are loved with an never ending eternal love! 

But why can’t we see this when we feel so alone? Quite honestly in my opinion it is because we are so stuck on ourselves and the things that us guided us other than God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Though some of those things that consume us and guide us don’t seem bad or harmful, some even being disguised as religion or religious activity and are certainly pushing us away from creating that space for living holy lives much less being a dwelling place for God.

So when we are crying out  “God, where are You?”

God’s subtle quiet answer is :

“Right here.

Right where you are.

Right where you have allowed Me to be.”

Think on those responses and be convicted by the Holy Spirit that the reason you are not feeling the presence of God, becoming a dwelling place or a much-improved space for God to dwell is because; You haven’t allowed it.

The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:5 “The Lord is near”.

Not just in heaven. Not just in the future. Not just in better circumstances. Near, right now.

The place you are standing today may not be the place you would have chosen. But it is not outside the reach of God’s presence. Sometimes the holiest ground is not the place we planned to be, but the place where we discover God has been waiting for us all along.

Will you pray with me this prayer that I am encouraging you to pray every day – to see that God is desiring you more than you are desiring God –

Holy and living God, You are not distant or detached. You are the God who draws near, who walks with Your people (with me) who chooses to dwell among us (in me). Open our (my) hearts today to understand what it truly means to make room for You. Remove what crowds You out. Shape us (me) into people who welcome Your holy presence—not just in this place, but in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Calvin Cook – February 10, 2026 – written from my place of sanctuary. Seeking Jesus From the Edges