If God is real, everything in our world is real too. The stars in the sky, the sand on your feet, and caterpillars. All real.
If God is real, our world had a beginning. And it has a goal, an end. History is going somewhere, and somewhere good.
If God is real, everything about your life fits into a coherent story. I’m not saying everything is easy. I’m saying even the hardest, most painful parts can be explained. If God is real, your life has purpose.
If God is real, the world is knowable. You can trust that your mind and senses are working properly. If God is real, you actually know what you think you know.
If God is real, then beauty and love exist. And they are the most permanent, real things in our world.
If God is real, there is such a thing as justice. And we can know what it is. And pursue it.
If God is real, we never run out of hope. If God is real, this world is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s not the way it was when God made it, and it’s not how it will be when his Son comes again.
Once upon a time there was a powerful king who wrote a book about his love for his people then passed it throughout his kingdom for all to read. He thought a book might be better than meeting and speaking to each person individually, because the book was a permanent message that his people could read over and over again. He sent along his royal helper to assist the people in reading the book and to believe what it said.
After making the rounds the royal helper returned to the king. The king asked, “How did it go? Did they read our book? Do they know how much I love them?”
Do you know what the royal helper said? What he said depends on me. What he said depends on you.
You see, this is a true story. The king of the world has written a book, and he has sent his Spirit along with it to help us with the hard parts and to believe what he says.
I have not heard God’s audible voice, but I do hear him speak when I read his Word. God’s book assures me of his love and tells me how to live in the freedom and joy of his love.
God wrote a book, and he addressed it to you. Are you reading? God still speaks. Are you listening?
If God is watching, he sees what you do. Nothing gets past him. God is watching, not to catch you slipping up or to build a case against you. He watches you for good. God tells us in the Bible, in 2 Chronicles 16:9, that his eyes “range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
In the days before the Great Flood, when people had become so wicked that God regretted making our world, his eyes scanned the earth and lit up when they saw righteous Noah. The Bible says, “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen 6:8). So God enlisted Noah to build an ark and save the world.
If God is watching, he not only sees what you do. He also sees what is done to you. In Genesis 16, a pregnant Hagar fled from the jealous rage of her mistress. Hagar had been used up and sent away. Where did she fit in this world?
The angel of the Lord found her in the desert and told her to return home, and that her unborn son would become a great nation. Hagar was relieved and exclaimed, “You are the God who sees me” (Gen 16:13).
God saw Hagar when she alone in the desert, and God sees you. You are never alone. You are seen.
In Psalm 139, David says God is always thinking of him. “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. (v.2-3). David exclaims, “How amazing are your thoughts concerning me! How vast is the sum of them!” (v.17).
God had David write this so you would know that he also is thinking of you. Right now, at this very moment. Do you know what this means? You count. Your life has meaning.
Think about it. We often determine our value by what others think. We get several likes on our post and we think we’re important. Or we don’t get any likes or comments and we assume we don’t matter.
Listen carefully. We should determine our value by what others think. We simply need to go further. Who cares what our online friends think? In a few decades they’ll be dead. Their opinions do not matter.
The only others who finally matter are the Father, Son, and Spirit of the triune God. If these divine Persons are thinking of you, then even if no one else knows your name, you count. You matter to God, and that’s enough.
What If God Knows Everything About You and Loves You Anyway?
God knows everything, so of course he knows everything about you. David says in Psalm 139, “Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely” (v.2-4).
God knows what we’re about to say before we do? Wow! We could not be more known. But are we loved? Here’s how to tell. I’ve learned not to trust what love says. Anyone can say “I love you.” Words are cheap. They cost almost nothing. Don’t listen to what love says; watch what love does.
Love always sacrifices. Always. Love pays a price. I know someone loves me when their love costs them something. When they stand up beside me when others are falsely accusing me, or courageously confront me when it’s easier to say what I want to hear.
How did God show his love to us? 1 John 4:8 says that God “sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” Jesus went to the cross for you. He died the most painful, shameful death. Because there was no other way to save you. Because he loves you. There is Someone who knows you completely, inside and out, and loves you anyway. You could not be more known, or loved.
If God is real, there is such a thing as justice. And we can know what it