Is God Real?

One way our culture mistreats God is to deny his existence.

Scripture warns us: "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Paul stated that "since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).

When people "worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator," the consequences were severe: "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts" (vv. 25, 26). David adds: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1a). With this result: "They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good" (v. 1b).

In addition, Scripture repeatedly warns us against idolatry: making anyone or anything our god rather than the one true God. We are told, "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below" (Exodus 20:3–4).

This is a very serious sin: "I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments" (vv. 5–6).

The prophet Jonah added: "Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them" (Jonah 2:8; cf. Leviticus 19:4; Psalm 16:4; Jeremiah 11:12).

Those who reject the existence of God clearly believe in something or someone more than they believe in the Lord. If they depend on their reason, experience, cultural trends, conventional wisdom, or other influences, they make these into idols.

So, we can conclude that rejecting idolatry by placing our faith in God is vital to the blessing of the Lord on our lives and nation. 

How can we defend such faith in our postmodern, secular, post-Christian culture?

That’s the central topic of this devotional.

Today, take some time to write down all the reasons you believe God exists. Then write another list of reasons why you think nonbelievers don’t believe in God. Keep those lists close as you work through the remaining devotionals.