“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap”
Gal 6:7
The silence of God
There are those who do not believe in God and His silence is misunderstood by them as indifference towards human affairs.
“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily by God, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”
Ecc 8:11
On this principle, criminals go about their evil work. However, nations do the same. Governments think that they can ignore God as He seems indifferent in human affairs.
They think that God is silent. Rather, they don’t have ears to hear. God has spoken many times in different ways but He does not keep repeating Himself when people will not listen.
God’s voice in Providence
Many people ignore the Word of God in the Bible, but God also speaks in Providence. This is a wide subject but let me mention just two examples to illustrate how little attention people pay to God’s providence.
When David Jenkins was consecrated bishop of Durham in York Minister cathedral, within days a lightning strike had set it ablaze with fire. It was noted at the time that the insurance would describe this as “an act of God” and people connected it with David Jenkins who was most noted for having questioned the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The country and the Church of England carried on regardless and I mention this an example of God speaking in providence and people carrying on regardless. God has spoken and He has the time and opportunity to call people to account in due course.
Christians know of countless examples in providence, to such an extent that Scripture says that people will be without excuse at the Day of Judgment.
What about a more recent example? What about today? Melbourne in the Australian state of Victoria has been rocked by the largest earthquake in Victoria’s history. So what?
A few months ago, the Christian Institute drew attention to the legislature in Victoria which voted to stop Christian ministers preaching a basic and essential aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – that people need to be born again and to change their thinking and behaviour. The state will re-educate Christian ministers how to pray to God and speak in a manner that will not break their God-dishonouring law.
The state will change our minds by coersion and force but we are not allowed to use reason and debate to tell them to change their minds!
This connection of God’s providence with governmental affairs is likely to be ignored by secular commentators. They have their own response, but God is not mocked. He is not silent but they will not listen.
The Christian Institute leaflet says:
“Pastoral advice and prayer that uphold biblical teaching on sexual ethics have been criminalised in the Australian state of Victoria. Any practice that seeks to change or suppress “sexual orientation or gender identity” is outlawed – including “prayer based practice”. Offenders face up to ten years in prison and a maximum fine of over £100,000. The state Attorney General said church ministers will be re-educated by the state to prevent them breaking the law.”
Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021, The Parliament of Victoria; Parliament of Victoria Hansard, 4 February 2021, page 282
“Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.”
Ps 107:43
I expect there to be others examples, which I can add as updates below in due course.
Update:
The BBC Series A Killing in Tiger Bay has a relevant quote from Al Sharpton that if you have a problem with prayer, “take it up with Jesus and not with me”.
Donald's Thoughts 