Psalm 135:9, “Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.”
In the last several weeks we have witnessed some incredible events in our United States of America. Some of the things that I have read about have left me stunned, asking “How could this have happened in America?” When I consider abortion clinics being allowed to remain open while family owned businesses are closed, even declaring bankruptcy because someone has deemed one to be essential and the other not; the de-fund the police movement and demonizing law enforcement and seeing the boldness of people to publicly mock officers of the law; our government allowing beer, wine and liquor stores remain open, calling them essential, while at the same time requiring Churches to close their doors saying they are not essential; reading about the people in North Carolina and NYC who were arrested on the streets trying to inform women about the wrongs of abortion (arrested for not social distancing and/or violating a stay at home order) and a few days later seeing government officials walk the streets side by side with protesters but no consequences whatsoever. All of the hypocrisy, disrespect for the law and Bill of Rights, and the boldness of sin causes my heart to hurt. Yet, these things happened and I’m positive worse will happen before we see the Lord in the clouds.
All of these events have caused me to do more research to learn why these things are happening, and why I have witnessed such a change in America in the span of my 51 years on this earth. One of the reasons (please don’t misunderstand and think I’m accusing and placing everyone in the same basket) for such a deterioration of morals in America can be blamed on America’s fastest growing non-religion-religion. I know you’re asking, “How can it be a non-religion-religion?” Please let me explain. In America, right now, one of the fastest growing concepts is that of Atheism. Atheism does not claim to be a religion, but it is a religion. The heart and foundation of Atheism is the worship of oneself. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:25 says, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever, Amen.” Atheism is the worship of creation, not the Creator. Atheism claims that Evolution is the only thing that scientifically makes sense and man has become so intelligent the he can now make his own decisions without the influence of a “make believe” character the religious world calls God. Claiming this to be science, even though it falls very far from the proper definition of science, they teach their concepts in schools and colleges throughout America. Each time I think of these people I’m reminded of 2 Timothy 3:7, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” This non-religion-religion is held by a significant percentage of the population of Europe; 19% of the Belgium population; 15% of France; 14% of the Netherlands and Sweden. The United States numbers fall short of those, but it’s growing quite rapidly. So rapidly that in April of 2016 National Geographic took it up as a subject for publication.
If someone were to ask you why do you believe in God, what would be your response? What if you were asked to give evidence of your believing? In our study verse, the Psalmist tells us that God “sent tokens and wonders” in the days of Israel’s captivity to Egypt. Those “tokens and wonders” were all evidence that the Lord, He is God. The Lord spoke to Moses from the burning bush and declared this fact, and later He showed forth His mighty power in the plagues and miracles. There are three times in the Bible that I think of most when I consider the times that God manifested Himself in wonders and miracles. The days of Moses and Joshua; the days of Elijah and Elisha; and the days of the Apostles. During those times God gave confirmation to the believers. But how about today? Have you witnessed any miracles that would confirm in your mind that the Lord, He is God? I have. When I see a bird sitting on a limb and singing to its Maker, I’m convinced that God is real. When I go to Church and hear a common man preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, I’m convinced that my God lives. When I witness one of God’s little children confess Him and ask for a home in the Church, I’m convinced God is real. When I see the love and kindness manifested by the people in the Kingdom of God (the Church), I’m convinced that the Lord, He is God. When I look back in my life and see His gentle and loving care for me in all that He has done for me all the days of my life, I am assured that my God lives and He loves His children. You know, I feel sorry for those folks that don’t believe in God. The happiness and joy that I’ve experienced has been such a great blessing to me. And if they think I’m uneducated and unlearned because I believe in God, I will ask them to leave me alone where I am. I am perfectly content to die believing that my Lord, He is God. He made the heaven and the earth. He sent His only begotten Son to die for His children on the Cross of Calvary. He blessed me to find a sweet rest in His Church. He has richly blessed me with a precious family. He has promised to come and get me one day and take me home to glory. And I believe with all my heart and soul that He lives. Amen!