06/15/2020
When we first hear God calling us to follow Jesus Christ, or later as Christians to do His will, and we ignore Him... do we think that He just goes away and that this is the end of it? Sometimes we attempt to treat God as if He were one of our fantasies, and if we ignore Him then He will vanish, but nothing could be further from the truth. Even in our faithlessness, our disobedience, or when we turn our back on Him... He is there, and He remains God.
“if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”
2 Timothy 2:13 ESV
I have heard unbelievers say “I don’t believe in that stuff” in reference to Jesus Christ, and God. They say this as if by simply denying them in their minds that it changes the reality of their existence.
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.”
Psalm 53:1-2 ESV
As a young boy I would often have bad dreams, or become frightened in the dark. In response to my fear I would pull the sheets up over my head and pretend that if something were actually there I could make it go away by doing this. Did you ever do something like this as a child? How about closing your eyes as a way of making things vanish? Well, so many of us do these same things with God... but when the sheets are removed, or our eyes opened, there He is... His Word remaining true.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Luke 21:33 ESV
So as a boy I would eventually cry out in the night, and my mother would rush into the room to comfort me. I had finally come to the realization that if I really wasn’t alone in that dark room, then my denying the source of my fear would not make it go away. I realized that reality and truth didn’t change just because I thought, or pretended, that they should.
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.”
Psalm 14:1-2 ESV
One evening my mother sat on the side of my bed while I prayed before I went to sleep, and after my prayer she hung a picture above my bed of a little boy and girl with an angel hovering over them. She told me about how God sent angels to watch over us, and that although she was in the other room... my angels were always there watching, and protecting me. She exchanged my imagination for reality, and a prayer for my night terrors; for the fear that had been haunting me.
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
Psalm 91:11 ESV
Now that I have become an adult the rules still haven’t changed... truth is still truth, God is with us always, and His angels still watch over us. So although we might work to convince ourselves otherwise, God remains with us, loves us, and has sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us. Nothing we can do will change the reality of that... no sheet over our head, tightly squinted eyes, nor scholarly argument, can make the truth of His existence any less true.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing your truth to us, and giving us your Word that speaks to us of you, and teaches us of your existence, and faithfulness. Thank you Lord for not abandoning us to our fantasies regarding faith, and for not leaving us to perish amidst the sin of denying you. Open our eyes Father, and make our hearing keen as we strain to hear your voice. Don’t let our humanity turn towards worshiping itself, But show us the truth... that only you are worthy. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is true, and the light of the world. Praised be your name for every truth that is revealed to us, and for your Word that never falters in it. Hear our voices Father as we cry out for what is true and righteous, and ask that you lead us to you, and your Son Jesus, for the answer. Help us to overcome our unbelief, and remove all doubt in you. You are the one Great God to whom all glory belongs, and we humble ourselves in your presence now and forevermore. We lay down our selfish denial, and bask in your truth; admitting you to be true and worthy in all things. Have mercy on us Lord, and let your grace through Jesus Christ reveal to us that we are lost without you, and that you are the source of all truth.
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””
John 8:31-32 ESV
Rich Forbes