On the Emmaus Road

"Where is God? Why don't I see Him in my life?" I've heard this before, from my mouth and others.

Two disciples had walked with Jesus, heard His words, seen Him perform miracles, and experienced His love. Then He was crucified. He died. His body succumbed to death. And they found themselves saying, "We had hoped..."

We had hoped...

Past tense. That means that hope was no longer in existence, hope was gone, finished.

Days later we find Jesus again walking with them, talking with them -- Jesus, the man with whom they had spent time, listening and loving. And trusting. He had returned to them but they could not recognize Him.

We are not unlike these men. Not at all. We hope, we trust, we believe. Then death visits the thing we hoped for; if we are not careful, we lose heart. Our faith falters. And before long we are "conversing and reasoning" as they were. In no time at all our reasoning results in carnal doubt. Soon God is questioned. He's on trial, accused and blamed. And hope itself dies.

The result? The symptom of this phenomenon? We fail to see Jesus, to recognize His voice. His daily blessings go unnoticed, His faithful Hand is not acknowledged. His goodness in unnoticed and forgotten.

So, turn your eyes to Him. Ask for His renewal. Put yourself in His presence. Whisper your request to Him. He renews hope and faith. Always.

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word.
Just to stand upon His promise, Just to say, "Thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him, How I've proved Him o'er and o'er.
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus; Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

Fannie Crosby