Monday, October 11: A disappearing God?

When the Lord destroyed the earth with the Great Flood in the days of Noah, belief in God was different than it is now. In fact, with the longevity of those early lives, Noah’s father knew Adam, though 10 generations separated the two men. Consequently, in the generation before the Flood, people could speak with a man who had walked with God in the Garden of Eden. While belief in God may have existed in a different state, relationship with God was not evident in the actions and attitudes of the people:


11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
Genesis 6:11-12


Even in the new world, as man “progressed,” relationship with God seemed to deteriorate. While the Romans and Greeks remained theists, retaining belief in deities, most in those civilizations were polytheists, believing in many gods. Citizens of those cultures paid for festivals to please the plethora of gods, yet those misinformed failed to understand the One True God’s desire for a relationship. It was in ancient Greece that the term atheism first was seen, though it was not until the 1800s that people began to associate themselves with that term.

God’s existence is evident in each direction we can see, hear or feel. Yet most people do not desire a relationship with their Creator, with the potential of having God in control of their lives. Instead, most people choose to serve themselves, as if they were the gods of their own worlds. While God honors humbleness, the world honors knowledge, power and wealth.


23 Thus says the LORD:
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24


The prophet Jeremiah spoke the verses above to people who had rejected God’s Word, which continues to be just as problematic today, if not more so. Atheism has become more prevalent, while agnosticism, the belief that the existence or non-existence of any deity is unknowable, has increased even more rapidly. While some may term this “the disappearance of God,” instead, it is the disappearance of faith. Is it any wonder that depression, divorce and suicide rates continue to increase? Technology can help us to move around this world faster, higher and stronger, but not happier. We need God for our peace, our happiness and our joy! In comparison to the omniscience of God, our increasing intelligence is nothing.


18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 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. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
Romans 1:18-22

Most in my family vividly remember the vehement argument of my grandmother, who when shopping for a new television, insisted it had to be black-and-white, as she did not have cable. No family member or sales associate could convince her that the two issues were unrelated. She would not accept expert opinion, as she thought she knew better. In the same manner, people are most dangerous when they overestimate their own intelligence. As Christians, most of us would agree that the more we study the Bible, the less we know, as we can see how much more there is to learn. God is so big and so complex, that we can study His Word for all of eternity and still, continue to learn.


Transformation involves that appearance of faith. Faith is not the opposite of science, but the knowledge that God created science! Even as Christians, we have different levels of faith given by God. Yet it is simple to increase your faith in the all-mighty God. Read His Word! The more you know Him, the more you will see Him in every aspect of your lives. If you seek God, you will find Him. He has promised that, and wants to reveal Himself to us all!


10“For you have trusted in your wickedness;
You have said, ‘No one sees me’;
Your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you;
And you have said in your heart,
‘I am, and there is no one else besides me.’
11Therefore evil shall come upon you;
You shall not know from where it arises.
And trouble shall fall upon you;
You will not be able to put it off.
And desolation shall come upon you suddenly,
Which you shall not know.
Isaiah 47:10-11