What’s Not to Believe?
“Bring out the people who are blind,
(The Book of Isaiah 43: 8-10 NASB)
even though they have eyes.
And the deaf,
even though they have ears.
All the nations have gathered together
So that the peoples may be assembled.
Who among them can declare this
And proclaim to us the former things?
Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified,
Or let them hear and say, “It is true.”
“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
So that you may know and believe Me
And that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
And there will be none after Me.
When the Saturday newspaper arrives, we enjoy reading the ‘old’ news, scanning the articles for names of those who we once heard and events our grandfathers and fathers speak of from the past.
- We were not there; nonetheless, we believe those who speak the stories.
- We were not present when the events occurred; nevertheless, we believe the news report.
What’s Not to Believe?
- They (our ancestors) were there and saw the people and events with their own eyes, so they are the witnesses.
- We (those of us who now live) were not alive, so we are the listeners, the believers.
What’s Not to Believe?
The prophet knew that people could have eyes and still not SEE the truth, & he also knew people could physically have ears and still not HEAR the proclamation made. So, he brought the whole assembly of people out to see & hear the LORD speak the truth of HIMSELF. Surely they would believe if they heard it directly from GOD.
That was then, years ago, and surely some stood there in the presence of the LORD—and still
DID NOT BELIEVE!
Even so today, some stand within this world where we exist, directly within the creation the LORD made—and still
DO NOT BELIEVE!
Today, on this Eve of Christmas Day, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I find myself scratching my head and asking:
What’s Not to Believe?
When Jesus resurrected from the grave three days after His crucifixion and death on the cross, He allowed His resurrected body to first be seen by Mary. Thinking He was the gardener working there—
- She saw Jesus standing directly in front of her & still could not SEE the TRUTH.
- She heard Jesus’ words spoken directly to her & and still could not HEAR the TRUTH spoken in His words.
However, when Jesus called her name—
“Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
(The Gospel According to John 20: 16 NASB)
“She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).”
This seems impossible; yet this fact remains so, even today because TO HAVE FAITH, TO TRUST GOD, ONE MUST BELIEVE JESUS WITHIN HIS HEART! Even on this day before Christmas, when all things point to the birth of the Messiah, still some choose NOT to SEE & NOT to HEAR the TRUTH.
When she saw & heard the TRUTH, then Mary did the most natural thing. She reported the news to the others, to Jesus’ disciples and said, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.” (The Gospel According to John 20: 18b NASB)
The LORD HIMSELF spoke to His child Mary, there in the garden tomb.
&
The LORD HIMSELF spoke to His children when the prophet Isaiah brought out all the Israelites.
No Matter What—WE ARE TO REMEMBER GOD!
No Matter What—WE ARE TO REMEMBER GOD HAS GIVEN US A TASK!
“I, even I, am the LORD,
(The Book of Isaiah 43: 11-12a NASB)
And there is no savior besides Me.”
“It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed,
And there was no strange god among you;
So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD.”
No Matter What the World Proclaims—WE HAVE SEEN THE LORD & WE BELIEVE!
No Matter What—WE HAVE HEARD THE LORD & WE BELIEVE!
WE ARE TO REMEMBER GOD—No Matter What!
“And I am God.”
(The Book of Isaiah 43: 12b-13 NASB)
“Even from eternity I am He,
And there is none who can deliver out of My hand;
I act and who can reverse it?”