Young People’s Blog

No Atheists

“Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

Amid the loud applause of a crowded audience, an infidel lecturer was laboring to prove the folly of believing in a living God.

When an opportunity was given for discussion, a man stepped forward, and narrated how, from a river bank, he had once witnessed a boat driven down the current towards a dangerous rapid. In it was a man struggling to make the shore. All his efforts failing, frantically he cast away the oar, and cried to God to have mercy upon him. Marvelously he was rescued from the brink of death in the nick of time.

Imagine the confusion of the infidel when the the speaker pointed at him. Amid breathless silence, the speaker said, “And that was the man who is now before you, attempting to prove that there is neither God nor eternity; neither judgment to come nor the need of salvation.” The pretended infidel withdrew, while in solemn silence the audience dispersed.

People may brush the Bible away as fairy tales, but when eternity is staring them in the face, it is often a very different story. Remember there are no atheists in the next life.

At His Feet

“And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart
into a desert place, and rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

The disciples were not losing or wasting time when they sat at the feet of their Master and held quiet conversation with Him under the olives of Bethany or by the shores of the sea of Galilee. These were their school hours, their feeding times. These were the times when they could listen, learn, ask questions and share what was on their mind and in their hearts, while learning what His mind was and what His heart was towards them. These were, no doubt, very precious and memorable times with the Lord Jesus.

The healthiest Christian, the one who is fitted for godly living and godly labors, is the one who spends much time with Christ, and feeds on Him the most. Here lies the benefit of Bible reading and secret prayer. The very act of sitting quietly at His table of love has its significance for eternal blessing. Let’s be like the bride in the Old Testament, who said, “I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste” (Song of Solomon 2:3).

Jacob’s Twelve Sons — Naphtali

The fifth son of Jacob, and the second of Bilhah. Naphtali and his four sons entered Egypt with Jacob and nothing further is told us of his personal history. Jacob, in blessing his sons said of him, “Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words” (Genesis 49:21). This had, at least part of its fulfillment in Mary Magdalene, who was sent with the message from a risen Christ: “Go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God” (John 20:17). Full of those goodly words, “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her” (John 20:18). (Magdala, where Mary was from, was a city within the borders of the inheritance of Naphtali). She was in indeed “a hind [deer] let loose,” with a tremendous announcement.

We too have been given a wonderful message for the blessing and encouragement of others. It is the message of a risen, ascended Christ. It is the message that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Having Not Seen

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).

John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, The Holy War, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and other works, had a blind daughter who was his constant companion, of whom he was very fond. She never saw his face; she was incapable of reading his pages; she could only dimly recognize his genius. She did not know him visibly, intellectually, technically, logically or critically, but if anyone in the world ever knew John Bunyan, it was his little blind daughter. She knew him deeply, intimately and truly as no biographer, historian or critic knew him.

You and I have never seen the Lord Jesus with the physical eye. Yet we can, by faith, know Him in a personal and intimate way, through His Word and walking in close fellowship with Him every day. The Apostle Paul’s desire in life is summed up in the statement made in writing to the Christians at Philippi — “That I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10).

Peace

As I sit at my bedroom window in the home I am visiting, and look out over the lake, I am moved by the serenity of the scene and the beauty of God’s creation. The surface of the water is like glass; the leaves are moving ever so slightly with a gentle morning breeze, a faint mist is rising from the lake, and the sounds of nature seem all in harmony with one another. How peaceful it all seems as my lungs fill again and again with the wholesome and refreshing air.

And yet I know that all is not at peace in the world today. “Wars and rumours of wars” (Matthew 24:6) abound on every hand, and the violence and corruption that is reported in the news every hour is a stark reminder that we are living in a world of sin and strife. It’s not getting any better either.

No, not until the Lord Jesus comes to reign in righteousness, power and glory, will things improve on this planet. In reminds me of the scripture, “But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2). What a marvelous sunrise that will be! “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness” (Isaiah 32:1).

Dear Young Christian:

Last week a Christian friend and I were in St. Tropez, a beautiful resort town on the Mediterranean Sea in that part of France known as the French Riviera. The harbor was full of sail boats and yachts, for the 26th annual sailing regatta and international racing competition. As we strolled along the waterfront and watched the boats, along with hundreds of other spectators, I commented that it seemed that the vessels would surely run into each other, there were so many of them. From my perspective, it looked like absolute chaos. However, a little later we climbed a nearby hill, and from above, looked down on what was perfect order.

It made me think of the way we often view life and circumstances here in this world. From our perspective it sometimes seems that things are out of control. But from God’s heavenly point of view it is quite different. How good to know that there is One who has complete charge of everything, and who desires that we “trust in Him at all times” (Psalm 62:8). Let’s learn to trust Him more!

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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