Week Eight - Day Two: Review

Beginning in our third week together, we started looking at clues for God’s existence. This was part of our attempt to address our doubts. First, we faced our doubts. Then we doubted our doubts. After that we examined our belief.

Survey the five clues for God’s existence that we discussed.

The presence of something instead of nothing, that is, the fact that the world exists at all, suggests a primary causer.

Our universe is so finely-tuned to accommodate our existence that it seems to suggest a designer that had us in mind.

Our universe exhibits physical relationships and “laws” that are so consistent and persistent that it seems like an overseer or a governor must be behind it.

We have unfulfilled desires which God seems to satisfy.

We have a sense of right and wrong that point to a moral framework governing the universe, along with a moral governor.

We acknowledged that each of these clues can be resisted and argued against, but when taken together, they begin to present a compelling case for God’s existence. How compelling a case do you believe these clues present for the existence of God?

These clues also begin to paint a picture of God. He is the Great Initial Causer and Creator. He is the elaborate Designer and Maker. He is the powerful and involved Governor and Overseer. He is Endpoint and Object of Our Desires. And He is the Moral Foundation and Governor.

Let’s look back at two of the songs (Psalms) we used as reflection exercises while we were discussing the existence of God.

Psalm 102:25-27

(25) In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
      and the heavens are the work of your hands.

(26) They will perish, but you remain;
      they will all wear out like a garment.
      Like clothing you will change them
      and they will be discarded.

(27) But you remain the same,
      and your years will never end.

Notice how this Psalm reflects the author’s reflections on some of the clues that we talked about.

Psalm 147:1-11

(1) Praise the LORD.
      How good it is to sing praises to our God,
      how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

(2) The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
      he gathers the exiles of Israel.

(3) He heals the brokenhearted
      and binds up their wounds.

(4) He determines the number of the stars
      and calls them each by name.

(5) Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
      his understanding has no limit.

(6) The LORD sustains the humble
      but casts the wicked to the ground.

(7) Sing to the LORD with grateful praise;
      make music to our God on the harp.

(8) He covers the sky with clouds;
      he supplies the earth with rain
      and makes grass grow on the hills.

(9) He provides food for the cattle
      and for the young ravens when they call.

(10) His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
      nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;

(11) the LORD delights in those who fear him,
      who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Notice how this Psalm takes some of the themes of our clues and expands on them. And notice how this reflection causes him to sing and to praise. Does the same kind of reflection call out the same kind of response in you? If your answer is “no” you may need to cut yourself a break. I doubt that this Psalmist always felt like bursting into song over God’s governance of the stars or His sustenance of the humble. But it is a worthwhile question nonetheless. If God really is all that we have discussed, then why are our hearts not more often more thrilled over that recognition? Don’t keep reading! Pause and reflect. I’m not going to answer that question – at least not for you. I need to answer it for myself … and you … well, you get the idea.

Before You Start Your Day

1. I want to encourage you to choose one verse from the Psalm 147 passage and use it as a focal point today. Write it down and carry it with you in a way that is convenient. Bring it out at noon and at five. Let it season your day.
2. Take a moment and write out a brief Psalm using thoughts from the five clues and/or thoughts from one of the passages above. Make this your prayer to start your day.