“…Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). Romans 10:6-7
Someone asked, “Why doesn’t God just come down from Heaven and straighten out this mess we’re in?”
The simple answer is God is not sitting aloof somewhere silently observing the things that are going on in our world. He is present here and now in the hearts of every believer. He is available to us as closely and as dynamically as the utterance of His Word spoken in faith from our hearts.
But let’s consider the question from a slightly different perspective. While our times are indeed troubling and the implications for future generations and our own are daunting, we have to ask ourselves, has there ever been a time, in the history of world events since the flood in the days of Noah, that God has intervened to bring judgment on the ungodliness and evil works of men?
We know the flood was a complete reset of creation so to speak. All humankind and every animal and beast on the earth was destroyed by it except 8 people and two every kind of animal who were kept alive in and Ark. When the rain ceased and the waters receded the ark came to rest on a mountain. There God gave Noah the sign of the rainbow that the next judgment would not be by water but by fire. We know also, that the return of Jesus will be the culmination of all things, but, what about now? What can we hope for now? What should we expect from God now?
Since the days of the Flood, there have been many times in history when people prayed for a move of God to supernaturally restore order to the world. Among those times are the great plagues that killed hundreds of thousands of people, natural disasters, such as earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis world wide pandemics and man made disasters have not caused God to suddenly, supernaturally intervene like a giant Genie to fix our problems. The reign of terror of wars here at home, thee revolutionary War, the Civil War, two World wars, the Holocaust and regime of Hitler, the Great Depression, were all times when people asked the question, why doesn’t God just come down and straighten out this mess we’re in?
The state of things I our world seem overwhelming to many people and even more feel powerless to do anything about it. A great number believe that unless God intervenes we will all be lost. But, is this the question of one who believes that the just shall live by faith in Jesus Christ?
“But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:6-9
God does intervene when we call on Him in faith believing, but the manner in which He does intervene is not always the way we think or expect. So the better question is what has God given us to do in the midst of the trouble, the confusion, the strife and the political and social decline and degradation happening all around us?
When He ascended to the Father after appearing to over 500 people after His Resurrection, Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, and He said, “…lo, I am with you always, even unto the ends of the earth.”
He didn’t say, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, but if things get rough or you feel overwhelmed, just call on Me and I will come down from Heaven and help you out.” He didn’t say that. He did say, “I Am with you always.” We don’t have to wish for Him to come back to help us. He is here with us right now. The power to change things in our world locally, nationally and internationally is in us and with us, because God is with us.
The world has indeed grown darker, but we are called the light of the world.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
As the carriers of light we speak light by every Word of God we utter. And where His Word is spoken light enters to dispel the darkness. There is no question that darkness has made itself pervasive around us. Just as Isaiah prophesied it would.
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20
“In that day they will roar against them like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks to the land, behold, darkness and sorrow; and the light is darkened by the clouds.” Isaiah 5:30
If there was ever a need for light to enter darkness, for a Word of warning to be spoken to men and women of this time, especially those who sit in the seats of authority and governance over the nation, it is now. We need to speak the Word of God to those who have postured themselves as though they were God to rule over men and prescribe for others what they deem acceptable and not acceptable before their high altars of “ false moral virtue” and “righteousness.” if there was ever a time to speak the truth against all the opposition of the enemy, it is now.
Here are three translations of Psalm 119: 130. I particularly like the one from the Bible in Basic English.
“The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 New KJV
“Your words are a doorway that lets in light, giving understanding to the thoughtless”.Psalm 119:130 Complete Jewish Bible
“The opening of your words gives light; it gives good sense to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 Bible in Basic English
We desperately need a return to good sense. And we can have it. We only need to seek the Lord in our own hearts and minds and speak only His Words into every situation that is opposed to His Holiness, His Righteousness and His glory.
We are in a battle for truth, but this battle will not be won by might or by power, but by the Spirit of God present in His Word spoken in faith from the mouth of every true believer in Jesus Christ.
We may be in this fight for a while. But, fear not and do not be discouraged or dismayed. Our Hope and our trust are in God whose Word has never failed.
God’s Word will stand forever and His promises will never ever fail.
“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.” 1 Kings 8:56
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3
Evil can only sustain itself for a little while. It will burn out in the midst of it’s own flames. But, we who are called the righteous ones of God will remain because God sustains us.
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” Psalm 37:7-9