While few would admit it, a majority go through life as though they had no need for God.  Yet it is a universal truth that without God, there is no human need that is fully satisfied.  As Jesus stated it: “A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven” (John 3:27).  Although true, many will not admit it.  Human pride gets in the way of faith.  King Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his kingdom: “Is not this great Babylon I have built…by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?”   (Daniel 4:30).

As Paul described an un-named decadent society that was doomed to God’s judgment, saying of them, “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Romans 1:28a).  However, though man seeks to ignore God, God is inescapable.  With the Psalmist, we must cry out, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” (Psa. 139:7).  When we are out of harmony with God, we are out of harmony also with nature, often bringing upon ourselves illness of mind and body.  The Psalmist lamented, “My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, my bones are consumed” (Psa. 31:10).  When in harmony with God and His laws, he was able to say, by contrast, “I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psa. 4:8).

Truly “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:238).             

To ignore this fact is to our hurt—both now and in eternity.           –

Ron Bartanen is a retired Minister of the Gospel., living in Milton, FL