2.  God will always be with us: Psalm 23.  God is real no matter how we feel!  God is for us and near us no matter how bad our circumstances might be!  It’s easy to serve and worship God when everything is going great.  I don’t live on “cloud nine,” do you? Proposition: How do we serve and worship God when we don’t feel like it? 2

3.  We are not the only one to feel these things: Psa. 10:1; 22:1-2; 43:2  The Psalmists reveal their heart; they really lay it on the line: Psa. 89:46  In truth God never left them: Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5  David thought God had forsaken him (Psa. 22:1), yet he was “a man after [God’s] own heart” (Acts 13:22).  David’s feelings betrayed him and so will ours.  The same thing happened to Job: Job 23:8-10 3

4.  There are times when God does remain distant from us: Isa. 59:1-2  We walked away, but God didn’t! 2 Cor. 13:5  We’re not talking about sin separating us from God.  We’re talking about times when we have not sinned but still feel abandoned and disconnected.  Will we still serve God during such times?  Don’t beat yourself up when such feelings come!  How do we do it? Just like David and Job! 4

6.  That’s what Job did! Job 7:11  We can completely bare our hearts to God…all of it! Heb. 4:16; 1 Pet. 5:7; Psa. 55:2  Does a parent want to hear their children pour forth their problems? Lk. 11:9-13  God is our “Heavenly Father” and wants to hear our problems!  We must tell God exactly how we feel; He already knows it, so bear our heart before Him: Matt. 11:28- 30 I Know That My Redeemer Lives 6

7.  No matter how bad things may be, we must confess what we know to be true: Rom. 8:31-32; Heb. 4:15  So, never ever doubt in the dark what God has told us in the light! Job 19:25  Where was Job emotionally when he said, “I know that my Redeemer lives”?  Job didn’t feel his “Redeemer lives,” he knew it!  Job confessed what he knew to be true about God despite being in the valley of despair: Heb. 13:5. I Know That My Redeemer Lives 7

8.  We must rely on God’s promises because our emotions will trick us.  Don’t be troubled by trouble (Jn. 14:1); don’t allow circumstances to shake our faith because circum- stances can’t change God’s character or promises.  Note what Job said after he expressed his frustration to God: Job 23:8-12  Job didn’t understand how God would keep His promises, he just knew He would! Psa. 37:25; Rom. 8:28 I Know That My Redeemer Lives 8

9.  If God never did one more thing for me, He would still deserve all my love, adoration, respect, etc.: Jn. 3:16; Eph. 1:3; Rom. 5:8  God has taken care of our most insurmountable problem: Isa. 53:4-6  God deserves my best, my total commitment for this alone!  Let us not blame Him for our problems, but remember the great things He has done for us: Job 19:25 I Know That My Redeemer Lives 9

10. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by. So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 10

11. ❶Tell God exactly how you feel ❷Focus on God’s unchanging nature ❸Trust God to keep His promises ❹Remember what God has already done for you 11

12.  Meditate  Don’t fret and beat yourself up!  Think! Count your many blessings!  Think! What should I pray for? Rom. 8:26  Think! About God’s word, His power, His promises: Heb. 13:5; Eph. 3:20; Gen. 1 & 2; 1 Cor. 10:13 12

13.  Read  Romans 10:17; Psalms  Memorize key passages: Eph. 3:20; 1 Cor. 9:27; 10:13, Job 19:25 13

14.  Pray  Philippians 4:6-7  Ask God to bring the power of Ephesians 3:20 to bear on your problems.  Kneel! Heb. 7:25 14

15.  Obedience/Trust/Patience  Psa. 37:5; 1 Pet. 5:7; Rom. 8:32  Patience! Psa. 27:14 15