In 1961, scientists in the Soviet Union accomplished a feat that had never been done before. They launched a man into outer space where he orbited the globe and then returned safely to earth. The cosmonaut’s name was Yuri Gagarin, and he instantly became a national hero. People liked Mr. Gagarin, not only because he was the first man to travel in space, but also because he had a ready smile, good humor and a genial disposition.
The statement “I looked and I looked but didn’t see God” was attributed to the cosmonaut and received lots of attention in the newspapers around the world. However, today, historians are pretty certain that Mr. Gagarin never uttered these words, and instead, have determined that they were an invention by disingenuous Soviet officials in order to promote the worldview of atheism.
There is another falsehood surrounding this statement that would be good to bring to the light. This is the idea that only things that belong to the material world are real. Because of this materialistic mindset, many people say there is no God. Please understand that this notion is erroneous, because “God is a spirit.” That is, He is an immaterial being and totally without physical dimensions. Even if a person could travel from one end of the universe to the other and exhaustively search every nook and cranny of it, they would never be able to “find” God. They would not be able to “find” Him because they are looking for Him as if He belonged to the material world.
God fills the heaven and the earth with His power, and He is present everywhere and at all times, but His presence is completely hidden from our physical senses. What can be seen by us is His handiwork. Everywhere you look in the physical universe, you see the evidence of a Great Designer, and that designer is God.
Yuri Gagarin radioed back to earth a description of what his home planet looked like from space. He proclaimed, “I see the earth! And it is so beautiful!” The beauty he was excited about stems from the truth that God has left His imprint on everything He has made.
The earth’s beauty is evidence of God’s unerring wisdom and power. You can find other evidence just as convincing anywhere else you look. Romans 1:2020For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20) reads, “The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”
There is no excuse for not knowing God through His created things. Every design needs a designer. By looking at the world around us, we should readily come to the conclusion that God is the designer and the cause of the universe. This same all-wise, all-powerful God has not left us to stumble in darkness when it comes to knowing Him, but He has told us about Himself in a book called the Bible. In it we learn that God is not only a great Creator, but a wonderful Redeemer as well.
Mankind needs a redeemer because “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). To redeem men and women from the power and guilt of sin, God became a man and visited this earth. The Lord Jesus Christ became a man so that He was both God and man in the same person. As man He gave His life on Calvary’s cross. This act, accomplished to save sinners, will never stop bringing God glory and honor throughout the ages of eternity. Because of Jesus’ death, sinners who repent can find pardon and eternal life when they put their trust in His name. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)).
The blood He shed on the cross has ample power to remove the stain of sin from all who believe. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)).
Although mankind cannot perceive God directly in this life, this is not the case in the life to come. People who have come to love Him while on earth, when they pass out of this life, will see the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory in heaven. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:88Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)). This vision will fill them with never-ending joy.
How different it will be for those who reject God’s offer of love and grace in this life! When they leave this earth, they will be cast out from God’s presence into “outer darkness,” without any possibility of re-entry. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:1717The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. (Psalm 9:17)).
Don’t let the faulty reasoning of those who deny God keep you from coming to the Lord Jesus Christ. God promises that all who seek Him with an honest heart will find Him. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:77Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (Matthew 7:7)).
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)). Call on His name today, and when it is time for you to leave this world, you will never be sorry you did. You’ll find more about how He instructs us in Encouragement for the Soul.