The other day was doing a brief Bible study and I came across the following verse in 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 1:18. (ESV)For the word of the cross if folly to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
So, I looked it up in The Message for additional thoughts.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (MSG)The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out.
Let that sink in for just a moment in light of what is going on in the world around us.
And then, read this.
2 Corinithians 4:3 -4 (ESV)3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
All of a sudden it dawned on me. OF COURSE all this bad stuff is happening. OF COURSE people can’t see the light. THEY ARE ALL BLIND! I know this seems like maybe common sense but it really hit my heart. They are being deceived profoundly, devastatingly. And, we are being attacked in the simplest way – fighting from within, division. Oh, that Satan is a sneaky, tricky one, friends. All he has to do is sit back and watch while we do all his work for him.
I was struggling a bit with the fact that I know God could unveil his message and show himself to the world. I know that he could simply blink and make himself known to every single person in this world. And then I realized an important truth. He is showing himself in this world every single day. He shows himself in nature, in children, in marriage, in relationships, in the good people helping after a terrible tragedy, in our hearts, in our minds, in the still small voice that nudges us in the right direction. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE. And, sadly, many simply don’t want to believe. Do you?
Check out this passage in Deuteronomy. I like The Message for this one because it just explains so nicely, but you can also read it in your preferred version.
Deuteronomy 29:2-13 (MSG)2-4 Moses called all Israel together and said, You’ve seen with your own eyes everything that God did in Egypt to Pharaoh and his servants, and to the land itself—the massive trials to which you were eyewitnesses, the great signs and miracle-wonders. But God didn’t give you an understanding heart or perceptive eyes or attentive ears until right now, this very day. 5-6 I took you through the wilderness for forty years and through all that time the clothes on your backs didn’t wear out, the sandals on your feet didn’t wear out, and you lived well without bread and wine and beer, proving to you that I am in fact God, your God.
Dear friends, God’s wonders are all around us. His people shine a bright light in the midst of tragedy. His arms wrap themselves around us and his peace transcends everything. He has provided, he has built a great nation with us and he has given us truth and freedom. We have such an important role in this time to shine the light brightly. At the end of this dark time we will all stand before God and give an account. Every one of us. And everyone will finally see the truth. Everyone.
BELIEVE.
I have comfort in the fact God will have the last word. It doesn’t make today less painful but it does make it more bearable.
Prayer:
Lord, you win. You’ve already won. This world is struggling with brokenness, injustice and despair. We know you are the answer. Wrap us in your arms. Open eyes, Open hearts and help us to be brave and shine your light.
Comments