Not Seen = Not There

My littlest Chihuahua, Anni, has a problem with veterinarians. She doesn’t like to see them, doesn’t like to be in their exam rooms. We’ve been very fortunate that her trips have been few over the years, but the results haven’t changed since her six-week checkup – she won’t look at the vet,

It appears her philosophy is – if I don’t see him, he’s not there.

There are many people, it appears more so today than any before, that believe the same thing about our Lord. “If I don’t see Him, He’s not there.”

Frankly, our saying He’s there has no more value than their saying He’s not. We could both be wrong. Faith is not looking for the type of proof the world accepts. Not seeing the proof doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

As the Lord explained to Samuel while he was looking for Saul’s replacement:

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7

The same is true of our Lord. Mankind looks at the outward appearance. If religion doesn’t appear as expected, then it’s not there. If religion doesn’t accept the way of life desired, then it’s not there.

Those who reject God will tell you they reached that conclusion after considerable reading, discussion, thought-provoking discussion or other varied means of logical conclusion. Their conclusions are their own, and they are entitled to them.

Bertrand Russell, though much more talented in presenting his atheism, was no different than Madalyn Murray O'Hair or any other atheist. Their conclusion that “I do not believe God exists, therefore He does not” should not be taken lightly, however. Those who do not see Him are enthusiastically promoting others do the same. That makes our the task God set before His disciples all the more interesting:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)