(Revelation 14:13)1NIV New International Version Translations – “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”
Reading God’s Word without taking God at His Word can be a costly error. The Bible, also known as God’s Truth, is the foundation of faith for believers. It portrays God as faithful, loving, and just. Those who believe in a Creator trust that His promises [Click for a List] are reliable because of His unchanging nature. God’s character has not and will not change from before the creation of our world to long after our world ceases to exist. To refresh your memory, you might want to visit Lostpine’s list of God’s characteristics.
(Numbers 23:19) – “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
How do we know this? When we study the Word of God, the Bible, there is an amazing amount of historical evidence. Archeological findings continue to reinforce trust in God’s version of His story. History points to a compelling list of prophecies that have been fulfilled. One of the most compelling prophecies in the Bible that points to God’s existence is the prophecy of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. This prophecy is detailed in various Old Testament scriptures and fulfilled in the New Testament.
- Isaiah 53: This chapter describes the suffering servant who would bear the sins of many. It is often seen as a clear prophecy of Jesus’ crucifixion and atonement for humanity’s sins.
- Micah 5:2: This verse predicts that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
- Psalm 22: This psalm contains vivid descriptions of Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion, which were written centuries before crucifixion was even practiced.
- Daniel 9:24-27: This passage, known as the Seventy Weeks prophecy, is interpreted by many as predicting the exact timing of the Messiah’s arrival and His subsequent death.
The prophecies written hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth and their fulfillment in the New Testament provide compelling evidence of God’s existence and the divine inspiration within the Bible. Without God’s Word, humanity would not have any moral framework. God’s justice has guided individuals and societies since their creation. God’s teachings on love, justice, and compassion offer humanity the only firm foundation for ethical living.
When one considers the alternative sources of wisdom used by humanity, such as philosophy, science, literature, art, cultural traditions, and even human experience, they all suffer from the same flaw. Each is limited to this world, and the imagination of the human mind. Philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, and Confucius have provided frameworks for understanding ethics, morality, and the nature of knowledge. Where are they now? Would you place your “eternal future” on any one of them?
(Hebrews 1:10-12) – “He also says, ‘In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.’”
God’s enduring presence existed before the universe and will continue even after our world has passed away. In our limited way, we create laws and political philosophies that provide frameworks for ethical behavior and social organizations. However, nothing is ever as perfect and enduring as the guidance provided by our Creator. Throughout history, countless individuals testify to the transformative power of God’s Word in their lives. Personal experiences of guidance, comfort, and answered prayers have been strengthening faith since the creation of humanity itself. Taking God at His Word is a matter of faith and trust, built on a combination of historical evidence, personal experience, and your belief in the reliability of God’s character.
Finally, it is important to understand that God, our Creator, has left us with help. The Holy Spirit is the worldly witness to God’s very existence. Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and empower us. For example, in John 14:16-17, Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” Those with faith testify to experiencing the Holy Spirit’s presence in their lives through the guidance, comfort, conviction, and empowerment they receive. The Holy Spirit transforms individuals’ lives, helping them grow in faith, character, and spiritual maturity. The New Testament describes various spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the empowerment of the church and the world (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). These gifts are seen as manifestations of the Spirit’s active presence in our world.
So, why should you take God at His Word? Where else will you find someone who is unchanging and reliable, offering guidance and strength in all circumstances? While you and I don’t deserve anything, God’s generous grace is available to all those who trust His story is true. Jesus was born to this earth so He could die for our sins, be buried, and then rise again on the third day, offering salvation to all who believe in Him.
Contemplations
- What personal experiences have led you to question or believe in the existence of God?
- Ideas to Explore: Watching the birth of a child; standing on a vista at sunset; church; mission experience?
- How do the teachings of the Bible align with your understanding of morality and ethics?
- Ideas to Explore: Are there any ethics or moral issues that you believe are in contrast to those of God?
- What evidence do you find most compelling for the historical accuracy of the Bible?
- Ideas to Explore: Think about the holy lands and what has been found to date.
- How do you explain the existence of the universe and life without a Creator?
- Ideas to Explore: Can it be random? Why can’t life be created by humanity?
- In what ways have you seen the Bible’s teachings positively impact individuals and communities?
- Ideas to Explore: Where has the Bible, either in history or the world today, helped establish better communities?
- What role does faith play in your life, and how does it influence your daily decisions and actions?
- Ideas to Explore: Church, reading the Bible, Bible Studies, etc.
- How do the prophecies in the Bible compare to historical events that have occurred?
- Ideas to Explore: You may want to do some searches here. It is amazing what you will find.
- What are the implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ for your beliefs about life and death?
- Ideas to Explore: Isn’t resurrection the essence of a hope-filled faith?
- How do you feel when you read or hear the words of the Bible, and what emotions or thoughts do they evoke?
- Ideas to Explore: This is personal, of course. It could leave you questioning, in awe, sad, happy, etc.
- 1NIV New International Version Translations