How Can I Understand and Know God?
Good Morning Friends,
Today’s scripture is a rare one that talks about those who do not believe in God. And it reminded me of a story about an atheist who was complaining that there was no designated holiday for those who denied the existence of God. He pointed out that people of all kinds of faith have celebrations and take time off to worship but not so for atheists. It was not fair. Then a Christian friend reminded him that April 1st was available. But friends, atheism is no joking matter. There are intellectual atheists and practical atheists. Some even try to make the world better but they miss out on so much. They miss the heart of the matter. They may face life with a smile and heroic attitude but they have no joy. And that brings us to today’s questions for I am convinced that there are two really important questions every one of us has to ask and ultimately get right or, life is pretty much a waste of time. The first question: Is there a God? The second: If there is a God, How Can I Understand and Know God?
Scripture: To the leader. Of David.1 Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. 2The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. 3They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. 4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? 5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous.6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. 7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Psalm 14 (NRSV)
Message: If the answer is no to the first question, then nothing matters. If the answer is yes to the first question, then the only thing that matters is the second question. How amazing it is that people would believe there is no God. Ok I can understand people not knowing and wonder if God really exists, but to believe God does not exist just does not make any sense. Saying there is no God is the most foolish thing a person can do. People typically have two ways of thinking about spirituality. Either they have accepted the false reality that they can only know about God, without knowing him personally, or they have romanticized spirituality to such an extent that it becomes far too otherworldly. In either case, expectations are lowered, and they live in spiritual bankruptcy, feeling like spiritual failures. But some detest any response to God even though they believe God exists. So today’s scripture helps us to realize that it is not foolish to believe in God. It is not foolish to seek and know God….that ultimately we can delight in a relationship with God both personally and as a community.
Pray we realize just how foolish it is to ignore God. Pray we are not foolish. Pray we are not faithless. Pray we are not fearful. Pray we realize that we do not have to see God in order to experience God. Pray we know God through the power of creation and the creatures of the world. Pray we know God through the cannon and character of Christ. Pray for those intolerant of God that they not become intolerant of God’s people. Pray we realize that to be loved by God is the highest relationship, the greatest achievement and the loftiest position one can have. Pray we experience God with our hearts and heads.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 