The foundations of our economy and national pride are being challenged, yet we insist on looking anywhere for solutions, rather than upwards, writes Ivan Grindlay.
Why do people write so derisively about a God who does not exist?
What drives us to debate the motives of One who is supposedly just a figment of our imagination?
Perhaps our instinctive awareness of the divine captivates us.
What do we expect from God?
If He did respond to our every whim, would we be happy then?
Some live to render "God's deluded followers" silent, while others prefer to retain a place for religious debate, for what fires the reprobate more than to intimidate, belittle and undermine His followers?
But God does not need defending. He speaks for Himself. Biblical history provides ample examples for those who seek enlightenment.
Following close behind creation and the "God debate", is comment on Israel and the errors of those who would placate this tiny nation, apparently the epitome of evil and the cause of so much unrest in our world.
Commentators, scraping for the "high ground", delight to deride religion that has little relevance to mainstream worshippers, providing antagonists opportunity to ridicule. I suspect that the greatest critics are those disaffected by the pious drivel of those who deny the essential tenets of "the faith"; parishioners who sought affirmation in the truth, but are now disillusioned by their misplaced trust.
The result is dropping church attendance and derisive onlookers who feel justified in their scepticism.
Purveyors of post-modern thinking have little to offer "the lost" who, in turn, find nothing in secular humanism to comfort the soul. This "crossfire" conveniently dismisses "the plan of the ages" which soars like a majestic mountain peak rising above the valley floor. God's awesome purposes are seen despite the storm-clouds of self-imposed ignorance and unbelief, which envelop Western thinking. But God, in His patient long-suffering, graciously speaks still to those who would listen.
As we approach the anniversary of February 22, it is clear that Cantabrians have not felt their last earthquake.
Many choose to leave, but will doubtless experience reminders elsewhere, as Scripture suggests. But we are not to see any connection between God and earthquakes: "It is what the earth does."
Who made and sustains the earth?
Who shakes the earth?
[see Psalm 60:1-3; Isaiah 2:19-21; 24:18-20; Hebrews 12:27-291]. Who speaks by His awesome power in nature?
He who ministers through birdsong, the breeze in the trees, the colours of the rainbow, the myriad stars in the night sky, choosing also to speak in louder tones to get our attention when we are hard of hearing. The seas roar, the thunder rolls, the lightning strikes, the hailstones fall, the wind whirls and mountains and plains quake as we, consciously or unconsciously, are warned to consider our ways. The heavens declare the glory of God ...continuously.
Undoubtedly, debate will continue as to whether God is. Meantime, He continues to speak, showing mercy and compassion to whom He chooses, while calling us to account.
After the February 22 earthquake, it was the topic of conversation for prisoners at OCF. They noted the damage done to the Christchurch CBD in the red-light district. Mention was also made of damaged churches, for the religious are no less accountable to Him who rules in righteousness.
Ecclesiastical buildings are idolised as monuments of human ingenuity. But it was never brick and mortar that contained the glory, but the God of the "living stones" who met within.
Dwindling attendances reflect that we are giving lip-service to God, our hearts being far from Him. No wonder our voice is mute.
Is God speaking to Christchurch only, or is there an underlying warning to a nation who has enjoyed 150 years of Christian heritage and, more recently, unprecedented times of economic prosperity . . . without recognising God's good hand. We choose to live beyond our means with careless abandon and without higher reference, reserving for ourselves the inevitable results of stubborn independence?
The story of humanity is a revolving one, repeated over and over. Every great civilisation has ultimately vaunted its prosperity to its detriment, bringing its demise as night follows day.
The cyclical history of Israel is documented in holy writ for our learning [1 Corinthians 10:6-12]. In these days of God's patient grace and mercy, the nation of Israel experiences the chastisement of God ... like a loving father disciplining His children. How sad is their present blindness to God's purposes, but soon their eyes will be opened and they will return to their "first-love".
We in Aotearoa are being chastened. The foundations of our economy and national pride are being challenged and we are being found in want, yet we insist on looking anywhere for solutions, rather than upwards [Acts 3:19]. How pertinent are the words of the prophet Ezekiel who constantly concluded Jehovah's announcements of judgement on Israel and the nations with - "Then they will know that I am the LORD" [Ezekiel 22:13-16]. Return New Zealand and be refreshed. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
• Ivan Grindlay is an elder of the Caversham Community Church
