A Living God Who Made the Heaven and the Earth
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Acts 14:8-18
8. Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked. 9. He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10. said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and walked. 11. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" 12. Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. 13. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people. 14. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, 15. "Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; 17. yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." 18. With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
In the days of Paul and his missionary journeys, the people of the world still worshipped multiple gods. Their gods were powerful, but fickle, and capricious. The concept of worshipping one god was ludicrous to them! What if that god were in a bad mood on that day? He/she might do something harmful or spiteful to the worshippers! When that happened, the people offered sacrifices to placate the angry gods, but also to the other gods – as a kind of insurance against their ill will.
This all sounds pretty childish and simplistic today. But if we stop to think about it, we haven’t really evolved all that much in 2000 years. Don’t we worship at the altar of MTV, the Bachelor, Who Wants to Marry My Dad, American Idol, and sports icons, and on and on and on?! We want everything we see and will spare nothing and risk everything to have it. We idealize the wealthy and the powerful—whether they deserve it or not! Because that’s what “society” has determined is important and intrinsically valuable. That’s pretty much how these folks were living in Paul’s time. Their gods offered temporary comfort, satisfaction, peace and abundance. But it never lasted! And they constantly found themselves seeking after other gods in search of what they wanted/needed.
So the idea of one God, who loves us, cares for and about us, provides for us, disciplines us out of parental love, who involves Himself in our daily lives and who came to earth in the form of a man but rose from the dead as divine . . . . I don’t think so! Paul and others certainly had their work cut out for them! But then, so do we as evangelists and missionaries today. We have an intrusive, invasive media machine sending us messages about how much we deserve, how much we need, how much we should value the things of this world. Conspicuous consumption doesn’t even begin to describe it all!
Today we don’t have the same excuses as these people 2000 years ago. Christ is risen! Everything the prophets spoke of has been fulfilled! God’s word is unimpeachable! And yet we find ourselves worshipping those other gods. We are faced with the continual onslaught of “this world” and find it so difficult to find time alone with God to pray and reflect and to fortify ourselves against “this world.” We long for heaven, and yet we stray every day away from the path that leads there! I am so very grateful to God and humbled and awed that
my God forgives me; upholds me; enfolds and embraces me; loves and protects me. And all I must do is call upon Him. And the rest of this world just fades away.
Pray, read the bible, study the word. Intentionally seek out God’s wisdom, love, and presence in our lives. That’s how we keep our eyes fixed on heaven! Every day, every hour, every step along the way. I bow down at the altar of my God. The one, true, loving and living God.
I hope you spend your day worshipping the living God who made the heaven and the earth—and each of us in His image and likeness.
Mary
