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DECEMBER 2023
When God Seems Distant
… Ang totoo, hindi naman Siya talagang malayo sa bawat isa sa atin; sapagkat, ‘Hawak Niya ang ating buhay, pagkilos at pagkatao.’ Tulad ng sinabi ng ilan sa inyong mga makata, ‘Tayo nga’y mga anak niya.’
Mga Gawa 17:27–28
Has there been a time in your life when you felt God was distant? You have been communicating with Him, praying passionately, but there was no answer. You wondered if God was listening to you, or if He had left you.
Anumang pagsubok ang ating pinagdaraanan, hindi tayo iiwan ng Diyos. Panghawakan natin ang sinabi ni Moses: “Magpakatatag kayo at lakasan ninyo ang inyong loob. Huwag kayong matakot sa kanila sapagkat sasamahan kayo ni Yahweh na inyong Diyos. Hindi niya kayo iiwan ni pababayaan man” (Deuteronomio 31:6) Ganito rin ang sinabi ni Apostol Paul sa mga Hebreo. “Huwag kayong magmukhang pera; at masiyahan na kayo sa anumang nasa inyo. Sapagkat sinabi ng Diyos, “Hindi kita iiwan ni pababayaan man” (Mga Hebreo 13:5).
Whenever we feel that God withdraws His presence from us, it is best to examine our hearts. Remember King David who committed murder and adultery? He pleaded for God’s mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me (Psalm 51:10–11, NIV). Pinatawad siya ng Panginoon at patuloy niyang naranasan ang pagsama ng Diyos sa kanya.
If we are harboring ill-feelings toward others, God may also withhold granting our prayers. “Pinapakinggan ni Yahweh ang daing ng matuwid, ngunit ang panawagan ng masama ay hindi dinirinig” (Kawikaan 15:29). Sadyang napakahalaga ng pagpapatawad. Jesus is a perfect example of releasing forgiveness. Habang nakapako sa krus, He asked the Father to forgive His torturers. Sinabi Niya “Ama, patawarin mo sila sapagkat hindi nila nalalaman ang kanilang ginagawa” (Lucas 23:34).
Kung tinanggap mo na si Jesus bilang Tagapagligtas, pinatawad ka na ng Diyos Ama at itinuturing ka na Niyang anak. Kaya hindi na Siya malayo (Mga Gawa 17:27–28). When God seems distant, remember: Hindi ka Niya iniiwan.
LET’S PRAY
Lord, now I realize that even when I doubted Your presence in my darkest moments, You never left me. Thank You for assuring me that even in the midst of my storms in life, You are there with me. Amen.
APPLICATION
Next time you feel God is distant, call to Him and trust in His unfailing love. Believe that He dwells in you, and He will never leave you.