Bible League: Living His Word Why should the nations wonder where our God is? Our God is in heaven, and he does whatever he wants.— Psalm 115:2-3 ERV God dwells in heaven. Although He has partially revealed Himself in visible, earthly terms on occasion to His prophets (see, for example, Exodus 33:19-23 and Isaiah 6:1-4), in general, He is invisible to people. In the future, the story will be different. In the future, after the return of Jesus Christ, God will dwell on earth, and all those who believed in Him even though they never saw Him, will see His face (Revelation 22:1-4). For now, however, we believe in Him without seeing Him in His heavenly glory. Because He is unseen, people wonder about our God. They wonder where He is, if He really exists, and why we believe in Him. Why believe in a God who cannot be directly seen or heard? That's why false religions have set up alternative gods and God-substitutes that they can see. For them, sensory access is a minimum requirement for belief. For them, sensory access is a must, even if it means elevating a mere creature to divine status, even if it means accepting a paltry substitute for God. Although God may not be seen, He's still God. He's in heaven, and He does whatever He wants. He's not a man-made god that has been specifically constructed to affirm the limited and faulty expectations of mere human beings. He rules and reigns over all things on His own terms despite what unbelieving people may think. His plans and purposes are heavenly, and as such, they are right and good. They may seem to us to be inscrutable and mysterious at times, but the Bible tells us that His ways and thoughts are high above us (Isaiah 55:8-9). We don't need to worry that we have an imaginary God, because we can see the evidence of Him all around us. You may not be able to directly see His heavenly glory, but you can see Him and His rule and reign indirectly in everything He has made (Romans 1:20). Moreover, the words of the Bible reveal Him in even more clear and explicit terms. Be confident — our God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and one day we will behold Him. Until then, believe in Him and submit to Him. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 31, 32, 33 Isaiah 31 -- Danger of Trusting Egypt and Forsaking God NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 32 -- A King Shall Reign in Righteousness NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 33 -- God's Judgments against His Enemies NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Philippians 1 Philippians 1 -- Paul's Thankfulness to God and His Love towards the Philippians; Christ Is Preached; To live is Christ NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion For God says,“At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you. Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” Insight God offers salvation to all people. Many people put off a decision for Christ, thinking that there will be a better time—but they could easily miss their opportunity altogether. Challenge There is no time like the present to receive God's forgiveness. Don't let anything hold you back from coming to Christ. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.Mr. MacDonald asked the inhabitants of the island of St. Kilda how a man must be saved. An old man replied, "We shall be saved if we repent, and forsake our sins, and turn to God." "Yes," said a middle-aged female, "and with a true heart too." "Aye," rejoined a third, "and with prayer;" and, added a fourth, "It must be the prayer of the heart." "And we must be diligent too," said a fifth, "in keeping the commandments." Thus, each having contributed his mite, feeling that a very decent creed had been made up, they all looked and listened for the preacher's approbation, but they had aroused his deepest pity. The carnal mind always maps out for itself a way in which self can work and become great, but the Lord's way is quite the reverse. Believing and being baptized are no matters of merit to be gloried in--they are so simple that boasting is excluded, and free grace bears the palm. It may be that the reader is unsaved--what is the reason? Do you think the way of salvation as laid down in the text to be dubious? How can that be when God has pledged his own word for its certainty? Do you think it too easy? Why, then, do you not attend to it? Its ease leaves those without excuse who neglect it. To believe is simply to trust, to depend, to rely upon Christ Jesus. To be baptized is to submit to the ordinance which our Lord fulfilled at Jordan, to which the converted ones submitted at Pentecost, to which the jailer yielded obedience the very night of his conversion. The outward sign saves not, but it sets forth to us our death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus, and, like the Lord's Supper, is not to be neglected. Reader, do you believe in Jesus? Then, dear friend, dismiss your fears, you shall be saved. Are you still an unbeliever, then remember there is but one door, and if you will not enter by it you will perish in your sins. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 10:37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.Habakkuk 2:2,3 Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. • "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay. 2 Peter 3:8,9 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. • The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Psalm 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. Isaiah 64:1,4 Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, That the mountains might quake at Your presence-- • For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 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