Saturday, September 03, 2016
Having a thoughtful Saturday, just thinking about what a miracle it was that God brought the Israelites across the Red Sea, cos I was watching "The Bible" series on TV. Just got me wondering why He doesn't use such miracles today. Then I remembered that the Israelites only praised Him for a while, but later they attributed their salvation to foreign gods. There was also a story in the gospels where a man died and went to hell. Then he asked God if he could go back down to earth to warn his family about hell, so that they would believe and not make the same mistake that he did. But God said that they didn't listen to Moses and the prophets, so even if a man were to rise from the dead, they would not believe. God was right in many senses, and this would also come into fulfillment in Jesus' death and resurrection.
Sometimes I wish that God were more visible to non-believers in current times. I was contemplating asking my friend to watch the part about the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, because no human would have been able to do such miracles, and if it really happened, there MUST be a higher power. God MUST be real. So i did a bit of research about evidences of the parting of the Red Sea. Saw so many articles trying to use science to prove that it was just a force of nature, and not a work of God. It made me so sad because of their unbelief. The existence of the world itself is like a message written on the sand at the beach. Sure, you can try to explain how that message got there, maybe a stick was washed up on shore which created the straight lines or the "I", maybe some rocks fell from the cliff to create the "O", some snakes created the "S" hahaha. But the overwhelming evidence is that that message was not just a random occurrence in nature. It would not be hard to believe that it was written by someone. Similarly, the world was created by God. Why is that so much harder to believe? ):
Anyway, back to the research about the crossing of the Red Sea, while I was alone in my thoughts while taking a bath, it dawned on me that the greatest evidence of the Bible's historicity lied in the lives of those who experienced it first-hand! Was just thinking about the changed lives of the disciples from cowards who abandoned Christ, to passionate martyrs after seeing the risen Christ. The greatest evidence was that they were willing to die for what they believed in. No one is willing to die for something they know is a lie. I also recall a speaker from Project Timothy asking "What would it take to convince you that your brother was God?" He said that most people responded with surprised expressions "My brother?? God??". Yeah its a normal reaction because he was born from the same mother, how can he be God? James, the brother of Jesus also thought that He was crazy in his 3 years of ministry, but after he saw the risen Christ, he went on to write the book of James, which starts with "James, a servant of God and of the LORD Jesus Christ". He acknowledged his brother as LORD! what a transformation!
Similarly, the Israelites praised God for His salvation in the exodus, meaning that they were FULLY convinced that it was God that delivered the plagues to Pharoah, and God who parted the Red Sea. Sure you can say that it might have been some sort of tsunami that caused the sea to part, but is it really that coincidental that just at the point that Moses lifted up his staff and stretched out his hand, the tsunami came? If it had come an hour later, it may not have been convincing, and people may argue that maybe it was coincidence. but the fact that the people believed, and Moses himself believed sure says that God really made it happen with His power! And it is not to say that there is no evidence in current times... Look at me! the fact that God has changed my motivations and life purpose is evidence to me that He exists! Indeed the greatest miracle that I have seen in my lifetime is that He has brought me from spiritual death to life!
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow your commands
Could never come from me!
Oh Father use this ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let me song forever be:
My only boast is You!
He is to be praised!!
avoid the aliens;
1:40 PM
