When God Leaves You

Have you ever had a time in your walk with Christ that you didn’t “feel” saved? Has there ever been a time when you’ve said (in your heart), “It seems like God isn’t around”? Has it ever seemed like a particular day or turn of events in your life was void of the presence, power, majesty and influence (grace) of God? Have you ever wondered why it seems like the enemy is having his way in our lives? It seemed like that because GOD LEFT. Yes, I said it — GOD LEFT.

I know. I know. Someone is already thinking, “God will never leave us or forsake us.” I held back on printing the verse of scripture listed above to allow you the chance to let this “soak in”. Yes, my brothers and sisters, there comes a time when God leaves us . . . but not as we might suppose. You can breathe a sigh of relief now. Giving an account of the life of king Hezekiah, 2 Chronicles 32:31 states:

Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

Bear with me as I discuss a little vocabulary. The word “left” in this passage, according to the Strong’s, means to loosen, relinquish or permit. This gives the impression that God is stepping back and giving the individual free course to do . . . whatever. The term “leave” in Hebrews 13:5, carries the connotation of desertion. Without knowledge of the vocabulary, this would almost appear to be a contradiction. Why does God leave us? The answer lies within the following clause — to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. God “steps back” in our lives from time to time for the purpose of trying us — for proving and preparing us for His coming, that we might be accepted of Him. It is extremely important for us to know and remember that we are frequently tried (proven, tested) in our walk with the Lord. Why is it important to know and remember that you and I will be tried? Because knowledge of this helps us to endure when in the midst of adversity so that patience can have its perfect work (James 1:2-5). God tries us as gold is tried — He “leaves us” in the fire of adversity with our purity level as His focus. He’s working out all the “kinks” in our hearts. He doesn’t leave us to forsake us or subjecting us to failure, but to perfect us. He also leaves us so that we can see ourselves (our hearts) and respond accordingly to his majesty. We must keep this in mind, because He will give to every man according to his ways. If we endure our trials, the end result will be perfection (maturity and blessedness). If we lust exceedingly in the wilderness (as the children of Israel did) we will fall short of His glory (Psalm 106:11-15; Hebrews 3:7-11). Those who do not handle “the wilderness” properly, run the risk of the following testimony — (1 Corinthians 10:5) But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. If your ways please the Lord, you’ll be an overcomer in the wilderness. Subjection to trial is essential, unavoidable . . . and beneficial. Consider the following verses:

• And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:2-3)
• The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. (Psalms 11:5)
• Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. (Psalms 26:2)
• Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139:23-24)
• I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10)
• And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. (Zechariah 13:9)
• Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:13)
• Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

When it seems like God isn’t there — when you don’t see His power on “extreme” display — when you feel like you’re under insurmountable pressure — when it seems like there is no hope . . . we are the believing kind, we never give up (Hebrews 10:37-39). Don’t draw back unto perdition. God hasn’t left, He’s just sitting idly by and giving us an opportunity to see where we need to grow in Him so that we won’t resist His instruction, reproof and exhortations when they come. In closing, remember the story of Hezekiah. His test followed a season of great victory. Victory can intoxicate us, just as adversity can discourage us when we do not walk in the Spirit. Let us be sober and remain faithful, regardless of the circumstances. Let us look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith in times of what appear to be weakness. It is in this time that His strength is made perfect in us. Remember, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. As He did in the life of Hezekiah, God DOES leave us. Make sure you remember why. Make sure you endure. In the end, you can expect nothing but the best of His blessings. Until next week, keep the word and be blessed.