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God is Our Hope, Not Science

    May 5, 2020 | by Jon Goforth

    Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

    Who knew that getting to the truth could be so challenging? In an age where we have a plethora of avenues to gain information, the struggle to find the truth seems to be more and more difficult. We read one article on a news site that is then contradicted by another news source. We talk to a family member on the phone who gives their anecdotal evidence for one theory. We look at our social media accounts and see different people who we love and respect who have completely opposite understandings and opinions from one another about this historic moment.

    Adding to the confusion, the harsh reality of the human suffering caused by both the virus and secondary effects of the quarantines and stay-at-home orders make keeping up with the latest updates and stories overwhelming. Think of the many questions you may have already asked: “How bad is it? How can I help? When will this end? How can I protect my family? What is happening to my medical, religious, and personal freedom in this moment?”

    It’s like a full-time job trying to discern what is really going on when so many different sources of information are incoherent and contradictory. My emotions and understanding of the situation are like a boat caught in a storm at sea.

    This confusion and chaos over what is truth should birth anxiety within me, but instead I find it to increase my confidence and hope in the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. This unending flood of contradictory opinions and speculation has led me to worship Christ as the unchangeable one who is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Recently, Dr. Al Mohler highlighted in his podcast, The Briefing, a commercial by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer that was titled, “Science will win.” A key point of the ad is in this statement: “At a time when things are uncertain, we turn to the most certain thing there is, science."

    As Christians who understand that God created the heavens and the earth and all things are His, we should not fear the pursuit of knowledge and science. We should encourage the study of the sciences knowing that in them we are not “discovering” anything that God does not already know for He created it all. As Christians, we can be thankful for past scientific achievements and have hope for future advancements that will lead to human flourishing for God’s glory.

    This ad tries to find certainty and hope in ourselves and our own abilities. What could be more contradictory to the truth we have been learning from Ecclesiastes? We have learned that the Preacher in Ecclesiastes wants us to see that the uncertainties of this life are to drive us to the certainty of God. Our hope is not that science will win. Even if there is a miracle cure for COVID-19, there will be future diseases and sickness. Many other deadly diseases that we face today have no known cure. As Christians, we cannot place our ultimate hope in technology, education, medicine, politics, or in science that these systems “will win.” These systems will not defeat death. As it is written in Hebrews, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him (Heb. 9:27-28).” Our hope and our certainty is in Jesus Christ.

    As we’re searching for answers to better understand this virus and protect our families, we face the challenge of sifting through the noise and finding the truth. I want to encourage you not to be discouraged by the confusion and chaos of this moment but to draw your joy from Christ who has the words of eternal life. In John 6, Jesus has fed 5,000 people and taught them that He is the bread of life.  When Jesus revealed the truth and the cost of believing in Him , many walked away (John 6:60–65). John wrote, “Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.’”

    As we strive to understand this moment and utilize the different sources of information we have, let us be quick to run to Christ who is our certainty. Those of us who have placed our faith in Christ can rejoice because in His death and resurrection he defeated sin and death to graciously rescue us who were dead in our transgressions and sins. With that victorious truth, we wait for his return. 

    “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates (Revelation 22:12–14).”

    Prayer Points

    1. God, help me to turn to you as my ultimate source of truth and hope. Give me the peace that surpasses all understanding as I trust that you are in control and ruling this world for the good of your people and for your glory!
    2. God, give me the confidence to speak of the certainty of Jesus Christ and the gospel to unbelieving friends, family members, and co-workers. Convict me to utilize this moment of confusion to graciously offer the hope that Christ has already won by defeating sin and death.
    3. Pray for grace to seek Christ in His word more often, particularly during this unique season.

     

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