Bible Study - Questions People Ask - How Can I Be Sure GOD Exists? - Psalm 19:1-14 - January 26, 2014

Bible Study – Questions People Ask – How Can I Be Sure GOD Exists? – January 26, 2014

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Questions People Ask.”

Our scripture is Psalm 19:1-14.

How can we know that GOD exists? This is a good question. GOD purposely revealed Himself in all of nature and the surrounding universe. The scientific community attributes the existence of the universe and our existence to the big bang theory and evolution. Okay. Many years ago I read an article in the newspaper that the Navy researchers had concluded that the origin of life was in the ocean. Okay, so I go to the Bible and to see what it has to reveal about the origin of life on earth and found in Genesis 1:20-21: (GOD had not created a living animal up to this point.)

20 Then God said, “Let the water swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” 21 So God created the large sea-creatures and every living creature that moves and swarms in the water, according to their kinds. He also created every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

GOD spoke animal life into being. But HE took creating the first human male and female into HIS own hands and with great love and care we learn in Genesis 1:26-27 and 2:7:

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.

Genesis 2:7:

7 Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

Notice in Genesis 1:26 - Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.

Who is “US?” “US” refers to the Trinity – GOD, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. All three were present when GOD spoke the world and universe into existence and when GOD formed man from the dust of the ground. This was a sacred moment, an intimate and personal moment when GOD personally formed man. GOD breathed the breath of life into man and man became a living being in perfect relationship with GOD and the world around him. GOD made man to be eternal. GOD took a body part from man and made woman from it. Since the man was eternal, so was the woman eternal and so would their offspring be eternal. Thus the human spirit is eternal. Sin placed a barrier between GOD and mankind, which the shed blood of CHRIST broke for all who will place their faith in HIM.

Everything GOD had created was for mankind to exist and be sustained. GOD left HIS imprint on the things created to be a constant reminder of HIS handiwork. But some people fail to acknowledge GOD as the designer and creator. Every human has the freedom to choose. Even in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, who were in full relationship with GOD, had the freedom to choose and so does every human since - Of course, taking normal development into consideration.

So, if we do not see GOD in creation, what else can give us a clue about the existence of GOD? How about the miraculous body we live in with all of its unique features? Where is GOD? Humans seek GOD and have a desire for HIM to pop up and say, “Here I AM!” HE does but often not like we think HE should. HE reveals Himself in a still small voice or a soft whisper but GOD can reveal Himself anyway HE chooses. Oh, my friends if you ever hear it, you will know it.

Why don’t we hear the still small voice of GOD? We do not look for it or expect it. We are often too busy but Psalm 46:10 captures the essence:

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (KJV)

The Prophet Elijah challenged the people to a contest between Baal and GOD. The winner of the challenge would be the true GOD of the people. Let’s read 1 King 18:22-39.

22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh. The God who answers with fire, He is God.” All the people answered, “That sounds good.” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound; no one answered. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!” 28 They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them. 29 All afternoon they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no sound; no one answered, no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near me.”

So all the people approached him. Then he repaired the Lord’s altar that had been torn down:

31 Elijah took 12 stones—according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Israel will be your name”— 32 and he built an altar with the stones in the name of Yahweh. Then he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold about four gallons. 33 Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. He said, “Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood.” 34 Then he said, “A second time!” and they did it a second time. And then he said, “A third time!” and they did it a third time. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; he even filled the trench with water. 36 At the time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that at Your word I have done all these things. 37 Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that You, Yahweh, are God and that You have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then Yahweh’s fire fell and consumed the •burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell facedown and said, “Yahweh, He is God! Yahweh, He is God!”

After this demonstration of GOD’S power and presence, surely it would give the Prophet Elijah a sense of security for his safety and GOD’S care. Often Christians think, “If only GOD would do something spectacular in my life, it would increase my faith in HIM.” Often, spectacular demonstrations of GOD do not sustain us. We can think that GOD only focuses on the big picture and is not interested in us as an individual; which is wrong. Elijah will learn that lesson but GOD had to lead him to that understanding and conclusion.

Further in scripture, we discover that Elijah fled to save his life. He got very upset with GOD, yet the GOD was ministering to him along the way. He wanted to know that GOD was with him. Let’s read 1 Kings 19:10-13:

Elijah’s Encounter with the Lord later in his flee from Queen Jezebel’s soldiers.

(Elijah found security in a cave. He thought he was the only prophet of GOD left. He was discouraged and needed assurance from GOD that GOD was still with him. Elijah was building an intimate relationship with GOD; he just did not know it at the time. That often happens to Christians as they walk with GOD. They have to learn to trust HIM in their personal life.)

Then the word of the Lord came to him, and He (GOD) said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of • Hosts, but the Israelites have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.” 11 Then He (GOD) said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.” At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

GOD, in essence, asked Elijah, now that you know I am with you, why are you still here? Get up and move and be about MY business.

When GOD speaks it is often private and personal in a soft whisper. Have you ever heard the soft whisper of GOD? It is awesome. But HE can raise the volume of HIS voice for those who refuse to listen to GOD. One time, GOD spoke through a donkey. (Numbers 22:22-35)

The important thing to keep in mind is that GOD can speak to you any way HE wants to and in a way that you will hear HIM. I have people to tell me, “If GOD spoke to me, I would run.” Would you run from a soft whisper? Be still and know that GOD is real and HE speaks to HIS children in many different ways.

In the early years of trying to figure GOD out, in my mind I would plan how to test GOD for HIM to prove that HE existed. I came up with various schemes but there was always a glitch. If HE did what I asked, how would I know that it was HIM or just a circumstance that was going to happen anyway – such as “I want such-and-such to happen at a certain time, date and place.”This was childish because I was a child. So I decided that there was no absolute way to confirm GOD by asking HIM to do physical things and I dropped that form of testing to prove to myself the existence of GOD.

My next test was for HIM to answer certain prayers. Well, that didn’t work either during my time of testing for the existence of GOD. So how do we know that GOD exists?

But I can tell you for me, my first step was the conception, development and birth of a baby that got my attention and thinking, yes GOD does exist. Quickly following was the order of the world and universe.

Let’s explore!

David is the author of Psalm 19. He expressed his heart before GOD as he looked around and saw the handiwork of GOD.

Nature Reflects GOD:

Let’s read Psalm 19:1-6:

The Witness of Creation and Scripture For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. 3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 4 Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. 6 It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat.

As David looked all around him, he saw the majesty and handiwork of GOD. He saw various objects that could not utter a word yet they spoke volumes about GOD. When David looked up at night, likely while he was tending sheep or just outside looking up, and he saw the moon and the stars he thought of GOD. During the day, when he saw the sun and considered the light and heat that it provided, he thought of GOD. He didn’t know exactly what we know about the earth rotating around the sun and the rotation of the earth to result in day and night. He knew GOD was responsible for their creation but also in charge of the order of things he observed.

After GOD got my attention regarding the formation of a baby in the mother’s womb, all of the babies parts coming together in an orderly manner and the miracle of the baby going from breathing embryonic fluid to air in just a few seconds at the moment of birth, it was the order of the universe and earth within the universe. It spoke loudly that GOD is the master designer. But how did CHRIST fit into the picture? This was my spiritual journey which began many years ago.

Scripture Reveals GOD:

Let’s read Psalm 19:7-11:

7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the • testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. 9 The • fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. 10 They are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb. 11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them.

The instruction of the LORD is found in the Bible and it is perfect. A number of people repent for their sins and accept CHRIST as their Savior just by reading the Bible. A friend of mine received CHRIST as his Savior many years ago by reading the Bible. The Bible reveals powerful truths which reach into places no human can ever reach. Notice in Hebrew 4:12-13:

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.

David listed the benefits of GOD’S Word:

-         The Word of GOD or instruction is perfect, renewing one’s life; The Bible is the source that all humans can go to. GOD reveals Himself to those who seek HIM.

-         The • testimony or witness of the Lord is trustworthy (can be counted upon), making the inexperienced wise. GOD’S Word can be trusted.

-          The precepts (statements of truth about GOD and HIS will for humans) of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; When a person discovers that GOD is genuine his or her heart rejoices. Seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened up to you.

-         The command (mandate) of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. As GOD reveals truth it ignites the eyes of your heart and guides our walk in life’s journey.

-         The • fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; This is not being afraid but when you see truth it results in honor and respect for GOD and HIS love and Majesty. It is reverential fear. GOD is not fickle but is consistent and can be trusted for eternity.

-         The ordinances (judgments/decisions) of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. GOD always leads those who seek HIM toward righteousness through the renewing of their minds as they walk with HIM through their relationship with CHRIST. Why CHRIST? JESUS came and lived upon earth. HE was GOD in the flesh. Look at CHRIST if you want to see GOD. If you cannot accept CHRIST as GOD Who came to earth, how can you accept GOD?

Seeing these attributes of GOD are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb.

 In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them. [When you obey what GOD reveals.]

GOD has given HIS Word for all people to get to know HIM personally through an intimate and personal relationship with CHRIST. That personal relationship grows as we obediently serve HIM. Our relationships grow from knowing about HIM to knowing HIM through experience.

As Christians obediently serve HIM, the reality of HIM becomes clearer. Yes, the Holy Spirit confirms in our hearts that we are the Children of GOD but as we walk with HIM and talk with HIM HIS presence is made certain. HE leads, directs, teaches, enlightens, reveals and confirms HIS reality the more we obediently serve HIM. Such a relationship is better than pure gold. It is priceless.

We Respond to GOD:

Let’s read Psalm 19:12-14:

12 Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. 13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be innocent and cleansed from blatant rebellion. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

The closer we get to GOD, the more we see our short comings. I think David was expressing that he wanted to be pure before GOD, yet he may have done something, unknowingly, that might prevent him from having the most intimate, personal relationship possible with GOD. He asked GOD to thoroughly cleanse him from things hidden that might be a hindrance in their relationship.

He asked GOD to prevent him from willful sins and prevent them from ruling over him. His desire was for GOD to rule his life. When GOD thoroughly cleansed him, the weight of sin would be removed from him and he would be free to worship GOD in Spirit and truth. David’s desire was for the desires of his heart to match his actions.

David referred to GOD, as “my rock and my Redeemer.” I can see why GOD loved David so much. It was because David got it and understood HIS mission and purpose to redeem mankind. GOD was his rock and redeemer Who would be manifested to the world in flesh and blood as JESUS: the Messiah.

Look around you and listen because GOD’S handiwork is speaking to you. How do you know GOD is real and exists? You know it when you ask CHRIST to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart. It takes a step of faith for you to see HIM and know that HE is real and exists.

I know for years I wanted to have the assurance before committing my life to HIM. Sorry, it does not work that way. It requires a step of faith in CHRIST before you can walk with GOD, through your relationship with CHRIST and receive all the benefits of being born into HIS family for eternity.

Satan will do all he can to turn you from seeking HIM but stand firm and embrace CHRIST as your Savior now. Blessings!!!