As we near Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, questions like the one above may pop into our heads.
While some people might be extremely joyous and thankful during this holiday season, there may be some that are going through a tough season and may not feel like being joyful or thankful.
Maybe they just lost a loved one, maybe they’re sick, maybe their choice for President just lost an election – it could be many things that could sadden someone.
If they’re struggling financially, the last thing that person wants to do is finance a huge Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, sides, wine, etc. for a huge family gathering.
“Why God, why?” They may ask themselves. “Why am I going through this tough season – why is life so hard?”
But those moments force us to think about life in general. They make us think about the afterlife. They make us think about God, right? And that’s a good thing – it’s really a blessing in disguise.
Why would God do this to us? Why would He allow us to suffer – to stress – to hurt?
I believe God’s trying to get our attention during these times, because He loves each and every one of us and wants us to live with Him forever!
Jesus Christ revealed something interesting in Mark 12:27,
So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error.
Jesus communicates to us here that there are “multiple gods” in this world.
And Paul and Timothy say something similar in 2 Corinthians 4:4,
Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
The Israelites knew about “multiple gods” per Exodus Exodus 3:13,
But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they won’t believe me. They will ask, ‘Which god are you talking about? What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”
The God that we’re seeking is the God of the Living and the Bible says His name is “Yahweh” (some version translate this differently).
Now, staying with the Thanksgiving and Christmas themes for a moment … what is something that you’ve created in your life that you’re proud of?
Was it an entire Thanksgiving dinner for your family, a cake for dessert, a piece of art, a song, a joke, a mixed tape lol?
Did you buy the perfect gift for someone so they could be in awe of you?
Whatever it was, didn’t you want to impress people with your creation or gift?
Now, think about that from God of the Living’s perspective – doesn’t He want His Creation, us, to impress others? Of course He does! Just like we want to impress others with our creations.
Does the Bible talk about this at all?
Of course it does! Look at what Paul reveals to us in Ephesians 3:10-12,
God’s purpose was to show his wisdom in all its rich variety to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. They will see this when Jews and Gentiles are joined together in his church.
This was his plan from all eternity, and it has now been carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome.
According to Scripture, God’s trying to show off His Christian Creation to the heavenly realms and He wants all of us to be a part of it.
But the god of this evil world, who kidnapped the human race spiritually, wants us to live a miserable life, suffer, die and go to hell for eternity. In other words, there’s a spiritual war going on whether we want to believe it or not. But Paul encourages us and gives us great advice in Ephesians 6:10-24,
A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.
For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God’s secret plan that the Good News is for the Gentiles, too.
I am in chains now for preaching this message as God’s ambassador. But pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Tychicus, a much loved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work, will tell you all about how I am getting along.
I am sending him to you for just this purpose. He will let you know how we are, and he will encourage you.
May God give you peace, dear brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
May God’s grace be upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
And Jesus came to rescue and ransom us from that strangle hold per Matthew 20:28,
For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus is the one we need to draw close to in in tough seasons and times in order to receive the comforting Spirit and eternal life from Him and Yahweh.
Jesus wants us to live life to the fullest per John 10:7-10,
… so he explained it to them. “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep,” he said.
“All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
But the god of this evil wants us to believe that the Bible and in particular, the Gospel, is a cock-and-bull story.
This is where we can get confused. Our faith may diminish, and we might begin to question our existence when you get frustrated.
“Why am I even alive?” Someone might ask themselves.
If ever those thoughts cross your mind, just go outside and look up to the stars in space. We’re floating in space on a rock that continually rotates, yet it’s controlled – it’s perfectly balanced!
I love what Sheldon in “Young Seldon” says in the episode “A Crisis of Faith and Octopus Aliens.”
Here’s the script,
Mary: Sheldon, faith means believing in something you can’t know for sure is real. And right now, I am struggling with that.
Sheldon: So you don’t believe in God anymore?
Mary: That isn’t something for you to worry about. I need to figure this out myself.
Sheldon: Can I help? Maybe I could provide a fresh perspective.
Mary: I don’t think so, baby.
Sheldon: Did you know that if gravity were slightly more powerful, the universe would collapse into a ball?
Mary: I did not.
Sheldon: Also, if gravity were slightly less powerful, the universe would fly apart and there would be no stars or planets.
Mary: Where you going with this, Sheldon?
Sheldon: It’s just that gravity is precisely as strong as it needs to be. And if the ratio of the electromagnetic force to the strong force wasn’t one percent, life wouldn’t exist. What are the odds that would happen all by itself?
Mary: Why are you trying to convince me to believe in God? You don’t believe in God.
Sheldon: I don’t, but the precision of the universe at least makes it logical to conclude there’s a creator.
Mary: Baby, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but logic is here. And my problem is here.
Sheldon: Well, there are 5 billion people on this planet and you’re the perfect mom for me. What are the odds of that?
And let’s be honest, even NASA doesn’t know that much about the universe. According to NASA’s own website, they only really understand about 5% of matter! …
Dark matter is stuff in space that has gravity, but it is unlike anything scientists have ever seen before. Together, dark matter and dark energy make up 95% of the universe. That only leaves a small 5% for all the matter and energy we know and understand.[1]
What?!
It’s literally a dark world, but Jesus came to change that per John 12:44-50,
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are really trusting God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.
I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the darkness.
If anyone hears me and doesn’t obey me, I am not his judge– for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.
But all who reject me and my message will be judged at the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.
I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me gave me his own instructions as to what I should say.
And I know his instructions lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say!”
It’s more likely that not that there’s a Creator, right! I mean, just think of the stars – we gaze upon the same ones that Abraham looked up at. We’ve seen mountains, we’ve seen oceans – the evidence is right in front of us!
Look at what Romans 1:19-21 says,
For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities– his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.
We can sense God of the Living – our gut tells us a Creator exists. So, let’s latch on to that feeling – that faith – trust it and go to Jesus to receive eternal life and finally relax from all the stressors in this life!
Jesus says in John 5:39-40,
“You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
Yet you refuse to come to me so that I can give you this eternal life.
And to confirm Jesus is the way to eternal life, look at what he says in John 14:6,
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
So, if we want eternal life, we need to go to Jesus.
But how do we go to Him?
Well, just start at the Cross of Christ! Scripture gives us great insight into what it was like there.
Read about Jesus and get to know Him – you’ll get to know God of the Living as well! And when you die, the angels will carry you to Heaven just like it’s explained in Luke 16:22-23,
Finally, the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.
You know that God of the Living exists, and Thanksgiving and Christmas is a perfect time to reflect on that!
We don’t want to reject a reasonable Jesus and His Father, the God of the Living – Yahweh!
So if you ever get down and/or depressed this Thanksgiving and Christmas, remember that there is a God of the Living who loves you just like a parent loves their child, but the god of this evil world is trying to keep you from that relationship and from receiving eternal life with your Heavenly Father.
Don’t listen to evil, listen to Jesus and His Good and Saving Spirit!
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas 2024! Enjoy it – don’t let the god of this evil world deceive you and steal your joy during this Holiday Season!
Instead, let’s give thanks this Holiday Season for Jesus and our immemorial Creator Yahweh!
[1] https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/dark-matter/en/