Theme
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the
dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
– Psa 37:4-6
– Psa 37:4-6
Query:
Why
do some insist the Universe has some micromanaging influence or design on their
lives?
Have
you noticed how the culture is now pushing the idea that the ‘universe’ is
somehow responsible, for better or worse, for everything that happens to a person?
So, if we took the verse above and predicated it on the ‘universe’ somehow
being influential in all things it would appear as this:
Take
delight in the universe, and the universe will give you the
desires of your heart. Commit your way to the universe; trust in the universe
and the universe will do this: Universe will make your righteous
reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Surely,
no rational person would even consider the universe (pick a definition: ‘the
totality of known or supposed objects and phenomena throughout space; the cosmos;
macrocosm. the whole world, especially with reference to humanity: a world or
sphere in which something exists or prevails’ [– online dictionary.com]) could literally give you the
delight of your heart or if you trusted the universe your ‘righteous reward’ would
somehow ‘vindicate’ you? Righteousness? How can the universe impugn anything to
you? How can the universe itself vindicate you? Better question; besides
enthralling, impressing, mesmerizing, exciting or being amazed -- a person
looking at the universe – would you recognize your righteousness as a reward
while gazing up? But, understand, many do believe GOD, the actual CREATOR of
the universe, can in fact give you the desires of your heart, recognize your desire for righteousness and then reward you and most definitely vindicate you with
absolute clarity!
Why
are some embarrassed to admit they believe in GOD and HIS Almighty Sovereignty
in their lives?
The
culture in the west today has placed increasing pressure on people to shy away
from any public admission of a belief in the GOD of the Bible, or the GOD of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, also the GOD of the Hebrews. Many may have an
absolute faith in the GOD of the Bible and within their believing circle of
family and friends, they exhibit the same palpable belief as their peers. Yet,
in the public, their restraint is most strong to be acceptable. For
instance, while noting they are blessed they might use the ‘universe’ as a
replacement for GOD. Some use ‘the divine’ or ‘my deity’ but both of those may
require further elucidation to the listening mind. Thus, ‘the universe’ seems
to be an acceptable GOD replacement reference which conveys some safe sense of
neutrality – without seemingly denying GOD.
Why
do some not want to offend those hearing not knowing whether another believes
in the GOD of the CREATED universe?
Again,
let us turn to one of the most powerful – though not GODly – influencers today:
Culture! There is an understandable hesitancy to assume a stranger, or even
someone who you know but not well enough to assume has a belief in the GOD of the Bible. There have
been serious consequences to those who live their faith ‘out loud’ so-to-speak
like the loss of employment, friends, some family members, their standing in
groups, community events, school, and other public places. But you have to ask,
is this a battle you fight to win or side step and live to fight another day?
The bottom line for a believer is attribution, is testimony, is sharing the gospel.
If someone asks of you to share why you seem to be so blessed [and they may
even say by the universe] how will you answer? Remember, the universe is the
created not the Creator.
Why
do some not believe completely in the GOD of the Bible but believe in a power
outside themselves, sometimes referred to as a ‘higher power’?
That
is perhaps the easiest question to answer. The very UNIVERSE can have an awe-inspiring
affect on some simply by peering into it from a powerful telescope, or just a clear night
time sky. The Apostle Paul actually wrote under inspiration of the Holy Spirit:
“They
exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served
created things rather than the Creator—who is forever
praised. Amen.” – Romans 1:25
It
seems, that a little place way inside of us where we are strongly inclined to
seek and worship GOD is strong enough to cause a person to believe in something
‘bigger’ or ‘higher’ than themselves thus the belief in a ‘higher power’. What
is the positive about this person? With the Holy Spirit and logical reasoning this
person can be led to know that the GOD of the Bible exists and has a very
personal interest in all of us. They recognize the positives in their life and know
it is not of their own making. If they can believe in some undefined ‘higher
power’ they can be persuaded to believe in GOD, via the Holy Spirit and of
course, the grace, our Lord Jesus made available to us by way of HIS torturous
death and resurrection. If you know someone who believes in a ‘higher power’
ask for definition of the higher power. By listening you may be led by the Holy
Spirit to discuss how the GOD of the Bible is far more definable than a nebulous
‘higher power’.
Do
they say ‘the universe is trying to tell me something’ with emptiness not
believing in anything but wanting to appear as though they do?
There
is a segment of society/culture that easily seeks to fit in by being
disingenuous – they have no belief whatsoever, or have not a clue about
anything spiritually speaking. They have heard the idea of ‘the universe’ as
having some perceived ethereal quality. They
may appear to connect to a ‘believer’ or to seek acceptance by someone so they
will borrow the phrase ‘the universe’ as a means of fitting in. We’ve all met
someone like this. They are eager to be accepted and sort of take on the
persona of the person/s they want to connect with and easily morph into those
individuals. Yet, their lack of commitment or conviction belies their true
character. This person still needs to be introduced to the GOD of the
Bible. A question as to how ‘the universe’ has any influence over the person
could initiate a true self-examination. If they are comfortable with the
conversation introducing them to the GOD of the Bible is literally a life
saver.
Is
seeking direction and understanding of the universe a necessary pursuit for a
Christian? Do you
know someone who believes this as a means of philosophy or worldview? Without
getting to deep into the woods, the answer may be yes. To be better informed simply
Google ‘Signs from the Universe’ . Believers of this worldview advocate for
their philosophy; they explain it with such notions as Synchronicity. Is it
okay for a Christian to pursue this thinking? Answer: Do you believe GOD is
SOVEREIGN in every second of the believer’s life. Christians understand each
person has a purpose in life; they understand there are no coincidences when
led by the Holy Spirit and they understand a born-again believer has the HOLY
SPIRIT within themselves to assist them in all things in their lives. The Christian’s
life is not about fate, synchronicity, chance or live and let live. It follows
the Sovereign plan for their life and seeks daily guidance from the Holy Spirit,
primarily in a daily reading and meditation of GOD’s Word, the Bible.
We are blessed to live in a time when science has effectively gazed into the deepest of known space and has mapped out and explained our universe. It is inclusive of the sky/heavens above, the Earth, the deepest core of the Earth, the oceans/seas and of course, right down to the microcosm of everything in the heavens, on the earth and in the waters of the Earth. One can literally zoom way out or way in and still be looking at a wonderous universe. For that, give thanks to GOD the Creator and seek to be influenced by HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
We are blessed to live in a time when science has effectively gazed into the deepest of known space and has mapped out and explained our universe. It is inclusive of the sky/heavens above, the Earth, the deepest core of the Earth, the oceans/seas and of course, right down to the microcosm of everything in the heavens, on the earth and in the waters of the Earth. One can literally zoom way out or way in and still be looking at a wonderous universe. For that, give thanks to GOD the Creator and seek to be influenced by HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
Summation: “Take delight in
the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit
your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He
will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your
vindication like the noonday sun.” ßYour vindication as a believer will
be crystal clear . Do not be
sidetracked by those who have chided you, punished you, cursed you for loving
and believing in the GOD of the Bible! †
Bibles Designations
ASV
-- American Standard Version
KJV
– King James Version
NIV
– New International Version
NWT
– New World Translation
YLT
– Young’s Literal Translation
DISCLAIMER:
The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and
considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that
research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not
the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do
what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper
than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and
spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the
heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s
sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to
whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]
©Lightwritingmatters 2015
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