Friday, April 25, 2008

Do we see God as Magnificent?

I went to Bermuda. It was beautiful. Then I went again. It was still beautiful. I actually went three times to Bermuda with my wife, and have enjoyed it's gorgeous beaches, water, flowers, and weather each and every time.
I've been on cruises, I've been to the Caribbean, I've purchased new cars in my life. I've bought my own home, I've had a boat, I've had my own business. I've had good health, and a great family. YET THERE IS ONE THING OF WHICH I AM CONVINCED. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH in this world to satisfy me forever, for how could anything finite, LIMITED, satisfy forever?

I realize that all that I have in this world is finite. All of my material possessions, vacations, and my relationships are coming to an end on this earth. To everything that I treasure I must one day give my "Good-bye". This makes one swallow hard even thinking about it. This is not good news. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us the same, doesn't he? "Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless...".
I do not like knowing that all that I love must come to an end. If it all comes to an end, then it is all meaningless. All that I hold dear comes to an end! What a disaster! I must have something more.
HOW CAN A MAN BE TRULY HAPPY IN THIS LIFE WHEN HE KNOWS THAT ALL HE LOVES MUST COME TO AN END?

I must find something or Someone to love which is eternal, yes, everlasting. This is my only hope of being truly happy forever. And the nature of happiness demands forever by it's very nature.

But then, but then, but then, we have the promise, the sure promise of Christ "the Word made flesh" that "made His dwelling among us". He tells us that there is something far more valuable and precious than all that we have or own or know in this life.

What is that great and eternal treasure? Jesus says it this way in his prayer. " This is eternal life... that they may know You, the One true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." YES, KNOWING GOD IS BETTER, FAR BETTER THAN YOUR GREATEST VACATION, OR YOUR GREATEST LOVE IN THIS WORLD.

This news is often ignored to our own peril...
Hear the words of Jesus...

"For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeit his very own soul?"
In other words, the state of our soul is far more important, significant, than all that we might gain in this life. If we gain it all, yet ignore the state of our soul, then we have nothing, worse than nothing, we have to answer to God for a wasted life..

But is Jesus telling us more? Can we not say with this text of Scripturee in Mark 8:36 that doing the opposite of forfeiting our soul, that is, placing our soul's life and sustenance as primary, then we have much more to profit,to gain than anything this life can ever offer us.

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
(Matthew 6:33).

Oh, what a future we have in Christ. All of the islands in the world, all of the gourmet food, all of the mansions, cars, and yes, all of the relationships in this world pale in comparison with what awaits us who trust in Christ. Hear the word of God "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can even conceive of what God has prepared for those of us who love Him." (1 Cor 2:9)


How can I be satisfied knowing that the world around me is finite, a mere vapor passing away?

O God, I speak these truths. They make sense. Your word makes sense. Yet we are slow to seek the treasure. Give us greater faith to embrace Your Majesty and Wonder. May we see You as you really are, infinitely more glorious than all of Your creation.

Seek the Treasure that is Everlasting...Jesus Christ!


Blessings.

"I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME."

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Well put, Tom. I've been thinking about Hebrews 13:13 a lot lately (ever since Piper drew my attention to it in his T4G address), and it fits well with what you're saying. Why would we go to Christ outside the camp and bear His reproach if we didn't view Him as vastly more magnificent than X? (For "X", substitute your favorite artificial God-substitute, whether the Bahamas, being reproach-free in the eyes of men, or whatever.)

Oh God, give us new eyes!