Is There Anyone Out There? Word on the Week 24th September 2022.
There is the amusing story of the rock climber stuck on the cliff face who called out “Is there anyone out there”. A voice responded, “Let go!” After a lengthy consideration of the reply he asked, “Is there anyone else out there?”
Many of us have heard the voice of God speaking through our conscience, telling us what we should do, only for us to look for a second opinion that was more to our liking!
The question of the existence of an invisible God is the first of six key questions gathered in a survey of many people by evangelical churches. These will be discussed across Ireland over the next six weeks. They can be found in https://www.whatsthestory22.ie/
God has made himself known through his word. God’s spoken word brought creation into being. ‘And God said’ punctuates each phase of creation (Genesis Chapter 1). The Spirit of God bringing life to what was created culminating with humankind (Genesis Chapter 2 verse 7).
Through disobedience sin entered the world. There was also the promise of a Saviour (Genesis Chapter 3 verse 15). St John begins his Gospel by describing Jesus as the Word of God in person just like us but without sin. He was to show what God the Father is like so as to partially answer the question posed by the title to this blog (Chapter 1 verse 18).
Jesus showed us what perfect obedience to the Father looks like when he went to the Cross to redeem us from sin (Philippians Chapter 2 verses 5 to 10). Our part is to surrender our wills to His will. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and faith in Jesus (2 Peter Chapter 3 verse 9).
Like our climber who needed to let go of the rock and rely on the rope to save him, we need to believe God exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 6). The reward is knowing personally the one who “is out there”.
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.