It’s heating up here in the Ozarks. (We skipped spring and went straight to summer, as did most of the country!)

A couple days ago, my daycare kiddos and I were hanging out in the shade in the backyard, trying to beat the heat. We discussed our favorite Bible stories as we lounged at the picnic table. (Well, lounged might not be the correct word. Some of these children can’t even stay still while sleeping.)

Anyway…back to my story.

One of the girls told me her favorite Bible story was Jesus dying on the cross for our sins–“when the bad guys put Him on there.”

Another little girl nearly panicked.

“But Miss Kim, I don’t want God to be dead!”

I was quick to reassure her.

“Don’t you worry, Sweetie. God’s NOT dead. He’s very, very, very much alive.”

Our lounging came to an abrupt end then, as several of the children leapt up and zoomed around the playground singing, “God’s not dead, He’s surely alive! He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion.”

It brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes at the same time.

God’s not dead!

The nightly news may challenge our belief that God sees what is going on in our world.

The circumstances in our life may scream that God doesn’t care what happens to us.

The doubts in our heart may whisper that God has forgotten us.

But God’s not dead! He is alive, and He is at work even when we can’t see His hand or feel His presence.

It can be hard to remember that God is alive and well, especially when a crisis threatens to crush us under its weight.

Elisha’s servant struggled with this for a few panicked moments. He rose early one morning to find the city encircled by the mighty Syrian army, complete with pawing horses and gleaming chariots.

Sheer terror marks his words in II Kings 6:15. “Alas, my master! how shall we do?”

And Elisha’s quiet words follow. “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

“And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (II Kings 6:16-17)

Nothing like a fiery army to put your mind at ease.

When things looked the worst, that’s when God was on the move. All the servant needed were eyes to see what God was already doing.

Perhaps life has you down today. As much as you try, you can’t see God in your circumstances.

Take heart! God is still there; He’s still working on your behalf.

And when the time is right, He’ll open your eyes to see exactly what He’s been up to.

Until then, chin up. Keep praying, keep trusting, keep holding on.

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let that also that love thy name be joyful in thee.” (Psalm 5:11)