Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Therefore, whether a test, a trial or a trouble, I expect tribulation in following Jesus in a fallen world. But, This darkness too is on trial.
Let’s admit it, we are weak humans in our fallen flesh. I wonder how glorious life was in the Garden of Eden, but because of sin, we live in a fallen world now and even nature mourns from the effects. Even in a nation founded on a biblical worldview, godly values and Christian principles, our largely secular humanist society today is governed by those who do not know their Creator, who reject God’s existence or presence and His sovereign authority, and are hellbent on destroying all that is decent, moral and biblically right. Psalm 53:1declares: The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. It get down to faith and unbelief.
A fact is defined as: Anything done, or that comes to pass; an act; a deed; an effect produced or achieved; an event. Reality; truth (whether observable or not). Eternal God, who created time, space, is a fact, reality and truth. John 4:24 tells us that God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” British evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins stated in the Ben Stein documentary “Expelled” that even though he doesn’t believe in God, if he were to met Him face-to-face he would ask this Creator of the heavens and earth, “Why didn’t you reveal Yourself to me?” It is a greater issue than “not seeing is not believing”. Why deny your Maker? Isaiah 29:16 proclaims: Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, “He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Unbelief is a decision.
The finite human does not and cannot fathom or understand the immensity of the infinite, except for what is revealed. God tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s majesty and His existing outside this physical realm doesn’t make Him unreal or non-existent. 1 Corinthians 2:11-12 tells us, “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”
But, God reveals Himself in nature. Romans 1:18-22 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes areclearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.” The astronomical complexity and stability of everything in the universe and under the sun could not have happened by time and change, but is evidence of intelligent design by a Devine Creator God.
Why the denial of and attack on God. John 3:19-20 explains, “this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”
What do we stand on to fight the good fight, and Who do we lean on when weary? I admit that I am weak and fail, but the Lord is ultimately strong and strengthens us. I know that this is my earthly home and we were put here but God for a purpose. But, this is not my ultimate home as we have duel-citizenship, yet our eternal home has authority over this earthly existence. The answer to darkness is to bring light into it. That light is God’s Word, Will and Way. Sin is the problem and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer. Through tests, trials, troubles and tribulations, we have the eternal perspective of the kingdom of God in Heaven, so stand for righteousness and holiness through them all.
Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand.”
In Christ, Brian
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