Who Needs God?

Who needs God?

All sorts of people need God.

Psalm 107 tells us about people who suffered from emotional distress or fainting hearts. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distress. (v. 6 KJV)

Other people experienced calamities, financial troubles, and lost hopes. These also fell down . . . Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. (v. 13)

Still others were afflicted by physical disease. And so, they also, cry unto the Lord in their trouble. And He saved them out of their distresses. (v. 19)

And finally, some lived with physical danger, typified by those who go down to the sea in ships. . . . (v. 23) And they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. (v, 28)

All sorts of people can recognize God’s desire to save sinners. Yes, especially and specifically the people who know they are sinners. The people of the psalm lived with an understanding of judgment for their sin. But they also knew God could redeem them—could salvage their lives.

Only God can do the impossible.

Originally published December 6, 1991.
Picture: Como Park, St. Paul, MN 2009. Photo by Solveig.

He Understands

An omniscient God is an awesome Being—because He truly knows everything. The book of Hebrews tells us, all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:13 NKJV)

This would be overwhelming and frightening if God’s purpose was judgment. But He has another reason for searching people’s hearts. He desires to bring us to Himself. Furthermore, we’re told he will sympathize with our weaknesses. . . . (v. 15)

Jesus our High Priest died on the cross as a sacrifice for sin because He understood our dilemma. And He alone could pay the penalty for sin—because He alone is perfect or without sin. So although He knows all things—including our sin—He identified with our sinful human nature. His sacrifice is effective because He is one of us—but one of us without sin.

And so, the writer of Hebrews continues with an invitation from the awesome, omniscient God: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (v. 16)

Are you glad God knows us—knows you? That He understands every need? That He understands sin and sent Jesus to pay the price? Respond to His invitation today. Ask Him to reveal Himself. Enter into His goodness, His mercy, His grace.

Originally published March 23, 1990.

Throw Them Away

The Canaanites were the people who occupied the promised land before the Israelites arrived. They worshipped idols, and they often enshrined their idols on hills. These idols were a problem for the Israelites. There were even times when the Israelites loved the idols.

We wonder why they would, but idols did not tell them they were sinners. Idols did not tell them to repent—or to feel sorry for sin—or to give up sin. In fact, the people who worshipped idols delighted in encouraging others to get involved in idol worship. When more were involved, they could feel just a little bit better about their activities. At one point, the Israelites said to God’s servant, Give us no more visions of what is right. Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. (Is. 30:10b NIV) They gave themselves to sin.

Throughout Israel’s history, however, a faithful remnant of believers resisted idol worship. And then there were the godly prophets who faithfully brought God's messages of truth.

True messages from God share two facets of His love. Isaiah prophesied judgment. He also prophesied healing from the effects of sin. And he spoke about a time when the Israelites would return to the Lord and throw them [their idols] away. (v. 22)

The Israelites might have felt they could live life however they pleased when they worshipped idols that remained silent. But during times of trouble, the Israelites discovered problems with a god who said nothing—who seemed to be asleep. Then they needed and wanted a living God.

Originally published April 25, 1984 and June 22, 1984.

According to His Lovingkindness

Some people are prone to wake up early during the spring season. When the sun rises and light comes through the windows, their inner clock tells them it’s time for another day.

The psalmist of Psalm 119 woke to a different inner clock. He woke and then rose in the Spirit and he looked forward to both a new day and a time of spiritual renewal. It was time to seek God. I rise before the dawning of the morning . . . revive me according to Your justice. (Psalm 119:147a,148a NKJV)

Rising with the concept of justice could be frightening. But if we know in our hearts that God is both just and loving, we are eager to rise early—before dawn. During those quiet morning hours we can seek Him without fear.

When the psalmist rose early, he also prayed, Revive me, O Lord, according to Your loving kindness. (v. 159b) Lovingkindness and Justice—together.

God’s judgments don’t match people’s concept of justice. We can turn to God—put ourselves in God’s hand—submit to His justice and trust in His lovingkindness.

Originally published April 23, 1993.
Picture: Flowers in Hawaii, 2004. Photo by Patty.

Call Someone a Fool?

It’s dangerous to call someone a fool. Jesus said that anyone who says to others, ‘‘'You fool' shall be danger of hell fire.” (Mt. 5:22 NKJV)

A disparaging epithet reveals more about the person saying it than about the person who is the object of ridicule. It’s easy to take cheap shots, to judge others, to attach labels on people who don’t meet our peculiar standards. Nevertheless, these are strong words from Jesus.

Judging and labeling reveal the attitude of our heart— reveal that we’re willing to look at others with contempt or disdain.

Jesus said, “whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of judgment. . . .” (v. 21) If we call someone a fool, we allow our heart to slide down a slippery slope.

Originally published February 3, 1989.

A Positive Influence

History indicates God is a positive influence upon society. For example, the Renaissance and the Reformation occurred almost simultaneously and greatly influenced each other. Many scholars think the revival sparked by John and Charles Wesley aborted an English revolution.

So we shouldn’t be surprised when stories in the Bible link obedience to God with peace and prosperity.

Consider King Jehoshaphat. As is true for all individuals, he wasn’t above reproach but he did try to walk in God’s commands. He instituted significant reforms for his people. And listen to the advice he gave his judges: “you do not judge for man but for the Lord . . . there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.” (I Chron. 19:6b,7b NKJV)

Lest the judges become discouraged by the high standard, Jehoshaphat added a final thought: “Behave courageously, and the Lord will be with the good.” (v. 11b)

Oirignally published February 6, 1987.
Picture: Como Park, St. Paul, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Power to Convict

Jesus said, “And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (Jn. 16:8-11 NKJV)

This passage tells us the Holy Spirit uses His power to convict and to change people’s minds. First, He reveals sin by revealing the person of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus we might try to justify our thoughts and actions; in the light of Jesus’ perfection, however, we recognize our nature as sinful.

Second, the Holy Spirit reveals righteousness and purity by revealing Jesus’ position in Heaven. Because Jesus is with the Father He intercedes for us, and His victory over sin becomes our victory over sin.

Finally, the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of judgment by giving us understanding of Jesus as our victorious Lord and Savior and by exposing Satan as a defeated prince. When we see Jesus in heavenly splendor, we recognize Satan as a deceiver.

The Holy Spirit is God’s arm on earth today. Everything He does points to Jesus.

Originally published November 15, 1991.

Satan, the Accuser

It’s difficult for the human mind to accept Jesus as non-condemning. Yet He made that clear when He said, “If any one hears my saying, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” (Jn. 12:47 ASB)

Someone else is eager to point out people's sin. Scripture identifies Satan as the one who accuses Christians and non-Christians alike: Satan, who deceives the whole world . . . accuses them before our God day and night. (Rev. 12:9b,10b) He functions like a dreaded prosecuting attorney whose total purpose is bringing men to destruction.

There is an Old Testament illustration: A high priest named Joshua stood between the Angel of the Lord and Satan. The Lord rebuked Satan—not Joshua—and replaced Joshua’s filthy garments (sin) with festal robes (God’s righteousness). (Zech. 3:4b)

Originally published February 12, 1982.
Picture: Flowers in the courtyard, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.