Hey Church!

Some years ago, I read a book called The Blind Watchmaker by the vocal atheist, evolutionary biologist, and staunch critic of creationism, Richard Dawkins. I wanted to understand the argument for evolution and how such an esteemed scientist can fail to see intelligent design in creation. In the end, I could only conclude, with Paul, that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor. 4:4)

I felt sad for this man who, in seeking to be wise, had become such a fool. He struck me as a pitiful character whose life must be full of misery. If you do not know the providence and nearness of a loving, heavenly Father, then there is little sense of purpose, or hope, or any sort of redemptive plan undergirding life’s joys and sorrows. All is meaningless. Instead of a loving Father, this is what Dawkins sees: 

​​“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”   
       – Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion

But that’s not at all the character of our God. He brings us through barren valleys to teach us how to walk not by sight but by faith in His resurrection power. He leads us by the quiet waters of His Word and Spirit to restore our souls. He takes the curse of our fallenness upon Himself and then restores all that we lost in our rebellion–righteousness, peace, joy, hope, and the promise of life with Him. And He does it all without holding a grudge, scolding, or shaming us. Why? Because resurrection is not merely something He does; it is in His nature. In a sense, He knows no other way. 

Have you been disappointed by God? Is your hope waning? Are you afraid? Broken hearted? Despairing? Bring it to the God of resurrection, trusting that He is good, and thus His ways are good. 

Click this link to listen to a song that I pray will help give you words to cry out to Him: