Thomas Hardy was perhaps the greatest English novelist of his generation. He is best known as the author of "Under the Greenwood Tree," but many other novels came from his pen in addition to poetry of considerable quality.
He was a man who had a love for the language of the Bible and he read his Greek New Testament for a quarter of an hour after breakfast each morning.
In spite of this, we find the following entry in his diary: "I have been looking for God for fifty years, and I think that if He had existed, I should have discovered Him."
This is a saddening confession from the heart of one of such eminence, and withal a puzzling conclusion calculated to adversely affect similar seekers.
Perhaps as you read this, you are saying to yourself; "Well, if one of such intellect as Hardy was fruitless in the quest, there can be little hope of my finding God."
The hierarchy of earth may be attained by rank, or by supreme ability, but the acceptance of God is bestowed not because of such qualifications. It is open to one class, and only one class: "It pleased God... to save them that believe." 1 Cor. 1:2121For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21).
This is a category into which all may come, irrespective of breeding, natural ability or education. It may be hard for a man of learning to adopt the humble place, to give over doing and questioning, and to simply trust in the Lord Jesus for salvation, but for us all, there is only one way.
"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God..."