Some things never change, like death and taxes. As we get older, we tend to think more about death; and these days, taxes are on the tongues of every politician. This summer, we went to Branson, Missouri for the Southern Gospel Festival at Silver Dollar City amusement park. Since school had already started, the average age of those attending the Gospel Festival must have been 65+. Many southern gospel songs speak about heaven. Talking about death and dying was a common thread in many of the concerts. When we are young it is easy to ignore death and dying; but when you start seeing your parents and siblings die, you can no longer ignore it. You realize that there are things worse than death. In fact, death is welcomed by many of the elderly and those suffering. It is the goal of all people to live too long to die young. In fact, it is promised in Psalm 91:
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
Right now some of you are thinking: well, I’m not so sure about that. Well, you better take that up with God. He said it! I just quoted Him. Some will say that nothing happens, that is not God’s will. Does that mean that everything that happens because wants it to happen? Did God want Adam to sin? Did God want Cain to kill Abel? Let’s go even further back. Did God want Satan to rebel? God allows things to happen, knows what is going to happen; but does that mean He wants them to happen. If everything is inevitable, why pray!
I don’t have the answers to these questions; but I do know that He revealed himself to us. I know He is the God:
-Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
-Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
-Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”.
He is “not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
SO:
Do not base your theology on your experiences!
Do not base your theology on your family or friend’s experiences!
Do not base your theology on what your church says!
Do not base your theology on what your pastor says!
Do not base your theology on what you see!
Do not base your theology on what you feel!
Do not base your theology on what you think!
Do not base your theology on what makes you feel good!
Base your theology on what His Word says!
Base your theology on His character!
Base your theology on the experiences of His Son!
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