God Answers plainly

So, lately I have been wondering 2 things about faith and God:

1) Why does it seem like God is around more at certain times compared to others?

2) Why do we have to follow all these rules that the God commands?

I know that our relationship with God largely depends on how much time we put into it. But sometimes it seems like our walks are "dry" even when we are spending time with Him regularly.

I also know that God's commands are to help us, not to hurt us, and they are for our benefit. But sometimes they seem out-of-date and irrelevent, you know?

Often times when I'm looking for answers I ask God to "spell it out" for me because I'm so likely to miss it if He doesn't. Example: When I was leading a small group freshman year for the first time I asked God to speak to me about what to teach on. I felt like I was supposed to speak on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, but I wasn't completely sold. So I asked God to "spell it out" for me... and that night I couldn't sleep so I was flipping channels on TV and Joel Osteen was preaching on that exact scripture. Thanks God!

Anyways, I had been thinking about these questions and amazingly enough, on Sunday, in the sunday school class that Parker & I recently joined, we read Psalm 19. It says:

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes it circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.

The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.

The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold

They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

May the world of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock & my Redeemer."

Answers to question 1 & 2 in respective order. Thanks God.