WHAT CAUSES US TO MISS GOD?

Pr. Geoffrey Kibombo

In these later days, there are a couple of habits we have adopted that cause us to miss God. Let me hit on these three below

Familiarity:

Malachi 1:6 (AMP)

“‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is the [reverent] fear and respect due Me?’ says the Lord of hosts to you”

Some people get so used to godly principles and church services to the extent that they no longer carry significant meaning to them. They no longer have the fear of God when doing certain things because they are so familiar with them. There is no fear of God in them when it comes to offering, fasting, bible study, fellowship, praise and worship - they are so used to scriptures and no longer have faith in the word; they fast for health reasons and not for spiritual enrichment and cleansing; they are so familiar with praise and worship to the extent they no longer focus on the throne of God when singing but just do so as a routine and end up missing on the power operating behind it. The love for God is no longer burning in them; the first love is no more – they are so lukewarm spiritually (Revelation 3:15-16).

The respect for God's servants and faith in the word and anointing is no more. They at times despise, analyse and criticize what has been taught or preached. The fear of God in them is no more. As Malachi 1:6 (NLT) says; “If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve?”  

Evaluate yourself. Do you still have the fear of the Lord in you? Do you still have faith in the word of God? Do you still respect His servants?

Motive:

James 4:3 (AMP)

“You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires”

God considers the motive behind our actions whether bad or good. He weighs and judges the actions of men.  Jeremiah 17:10 (NLT) says; "But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” 

Many people have missed God because of the motive behind their intentions and prayers - we ask and don’t receive because we do so with self-centered intentions. Some give so as to be praised but not out of obedience; others come to church expecting to get marriages, jobs and turn away from church after receiving without using them to the benefit of the kingdom of God. But even after blessing you, God wants you to dwell in His house all days of your life (Psalm 27:4). When God gives you something, He expects you to use it to further His kingdom and to draw people to him – that’s His motive (Luke8:38-39; John 12:17, Psalm 40:9-10; 66:16). If you want to see God, if you don’t want to struggle, amend your motive to match God’s.

Selfishness:

Philippians 2:4-5 (AMP)

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility]”

The spirit of me, myself and I is very predominant in this era of sociological individuality. People have lost the zeal in the things concerning the kingdom of God. They are only concerned about themselves, their families and future. Their prayers and money are all about them, everything revolves around them. As long as they are okay, they are not bothered about the rest; for they do not care about the welfare of the pastors, fellow believers or the needs of God’s house. Matthew 24:12 (NKJV) says; “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold”

We are no longer concerned about the issues of the church or our brothers and sisters; we only talk about people's weakness instead of praying for them. We no longer have the burden to pray for those with problems but only for ourselves, and because of our selfishness, we miss God.

Evaluate yourself, work on and eradicate those vices in your life and you will surely see God at work and His goodness in your life