Have you ever wondered about all the folks who die in a third world country without ever hearing about Jesus? How is that fair?
Is our God not just? Can we even begin to see justice in that? What are we missing?
When I was about 5 years old, I remember asking my mom, “Who made all this?” Somehow I knew that trees, dirt, and grass did not just appear on its own. If a child of about 5 could know that someone bigger than herself created the things of this world, where did that thought process go inside of an atheist?
We may want to argue that it just did not cross their minds, but scripture tells us a different story.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:20-21
Perhaps the underlying truth here is that we cannot help but look around and know that God is there. Perhaps another underlying truth is in the last part of the verse. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
On the flip side of that, we’ve heard the expression that there are no atheists in foxholes. Perhaps foxholes drive one to put down vain imaginations and look beyond self for the answer.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:8-11
There are reports that go back for years of Muslims coming to know Christ because of dreams and visions. Be assured that if someone can be moved to come to accept Jesus as Savior, God will make that heart knowledge of Jesus available to them. He knows whosoever will and who won’t.
Although we cannot always see what God is doing or even what He has done, we know that God is just.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to know that God really is just. We cannot always see the opportunities He gives others to know Jesus, but God is good all the time. Ask God to show you how to reach that “hard to reach” person. Ask God to use you as a light shining forth the Word of God in such a way that they cannot help but notice. Only God can draw a person to Himself. Be ready to let God use you to be a part of that plan today.