To Encourage You

Genesis 1:16 “And God . . . made the stars also.”

John 1:3 “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Matthew 26:27-28 “Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him^, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”

One of the greatest, most magnificent understatements that was ever written is found in Genesis 1:16: “And God . . . made the stars also.”  It’s spoken in terms of “and by the way . . .”  The awesome power of the Creator God is magnified by such words, rather than diminished.  Next time you gaze up at the night sky, I encourage you to think about these words.  Then there is the magnificence of the Trinity – in that Jesus, who is spoken of in John 1 as the one who created everything, is included in the mention of God in Genesis 1.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: three distinct persons, and yet one – impossible to understand with our finite minds.  Then, imagine the glorious power of the restraint demonstrated by this all-powerful God when they spit in His face, struck Him, and mocked Him on His way to the cross.  Imagine what the One Who spoke the stars into existence could have done to such people in response.   Yet, He said this: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).”  Perhaps this understatement is as awesome as the one in Genesis 1.  And in this age of grace, the Father waits for us to repent and to acknowledge Him for Who He is, in spite of the sin, ignorance, indifference, and unbelief we have all demonstrated toward Him.  In the end, all of us will stand before the One Who made the stars. We will give an answer at that moment for what we’ve done with the incredible offer of forgiveness and grace that He has extended to us.  Are you ready for that moment?  Believe me, rather, believe God, you are not ready if you have not received Christ but rather have refused His command to believe, repent, and be born again.  Do you think you will be able to plead ignorance, show indifference, or mock him in the end?  Another understatement:  Maybe you should think again.