There are a lot of reasons people give for not following God, whether it’s suffering or discrepancies in the Bible. I think the real root of the problem is that they are unwilling to give God a chance.
As I get to know God more, I’m convinced that He would spare no efforts to save a human soul. He gave His life to prove it. If God knew that giving you a sign or answering your questions would convince you, I guarantee you He would do it.
I’m going to unpack one man’s story to show you what I mean.
A Judean King Named Ahaz
Ahaz was a descendant of King David who ruled over Judah (the southern kingdom that split from Israel). The story is found in 2 Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 28, and Isaiah 7–8.
Ahaz was heavily into pagan worship to the point of sacrificing his own sons to please the gods. When Judah became a vassal state of Assyria, Ahaz filled the land with their shrines, thinking their gods could help him win. But it failed.
God gave him many opportunities to repent but even when he was in trouble, he refused to go to God for help. This had consequences for the whole nation, many people were killed or taken captive. Fortunately, God sent a prophet to intervene and the people were released.
Ahaz even altered the Temple of God to look like pagan shrines which was a serious offense but God still spared him.
So What Did God Do?
Syria and Israel joined forces to attack Judah. Naturally, Ahaz and the people were so afraid, but God sent the prophet Isaiah to reassure them that it would not succeed.
God sent the prophet Isaiah again to tell Ahaz to ask Him for any sign and to make it so hard. But Ahaz refused saying “I cannot test God like that” after all he had done to offend God.
But you know how God responded, He gave him the sign anyway!
In this message to Ahaz, that’s where the virgin birth which was the sign is first mentioned as well as the name Immanuel which translates to “God with us.”
The Gospel that a Saviour who would pay for our sins by dying for us was first given to man who knew God but still rejected Him even after showing him great mercy.
Jesus willingly came into a world He knew would reject Him!
Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
So What Am I Trying To Say?
Isaiah says something interesting to Ahaz after he refuses to ask for the sign, he says in Isaiah 7:13;
“Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well?”
This brings up the question, can we actually exhaust God’s patience?
One of God’s qualities is that He is slow to anger and patient. It’s impossible to exhaust His mercy because it endures forever, but you can run out of time.
God placed us on earth for a limited time, which means limited chances to repent. So if you choose to spend your life apart from God, is it fair to expect Him to welcome you into His presence after death?
Nothing in this world is 100% certain, even science is constantly making new discoveries. So why don’t we approach faith the same way? Because the heart is unwilling.
Unwilling to humble themselves and admit their sin.
Unwilling to give up the pleasures and comforts of this world.
Unwilling to be different and the persecution that comes with it.
Unwilling to suffer and sacrifice for a future they can’t see but that is far greater than they can imagine.
It requires willingness to have hope even when it seems ridiculous.
So if you are willing…
I pray that you open your heart and allow God to reintroduce Himself.
There are many things that affect how we view life and form our beliefs. Maybe you think God didn’t protect you. Maybe the Christians you’ve met didn’t practice what they preached. Maybe you think that you wouldn’t fit in the conservative version of Jesus you’ve been taught.
But I want to encourage you, have a hard honest conversation with Him about where you are and how you feel. Then watch how He responds.
You already have a deep bond with God — the very spirit that gives you life came from Him. You won’t lose yourself, your fulfilled life is actually found in Christ who knows you intimately.
I know what it’s like to feel alienated or out of place, but God created a lane just for you!
The same God who made you also made everything you see, nothing in your life is an accident.
God invests in our hearts, the seat of our decisions. He doesn’t choose us because we’ll never sin again. He understands the reality of an imperfect world and imperfect people.
You can experience a love and joy fuller than anything you have ever known.
He died to prove His love for you. Will you give Him a chance?
With love,
Albright