Stewarton Bible School

Does God Exist?

Introduction

We live in a world where millions doubt the existence of God: a world of science and technology in which people only accept what they can prove: see, measure, weigh or touch. Understandably, abstract concepts are accepted with caution. The world is crawling with religious cranks, weirdos and crackpots all claiming to be spokesmen of the Almighty God. Belief in the existence of 'spirit beings' such as God are, therefore, treated with suspicion, disdain and often with amusement. Certainly the sophisticated western mind calls for more than nebulous unproved theories upon which to base faith. Nevertheless, were you to visit any country in the world, you would find that the majority of people believe that a supernatural Being (we'll call Him God) does exist. In other words, believers in a God of some sort outnumber unbelievers. Many people believe that there are thousands of gods, not just one: though they will readily agree that over and above the lesser gods is One Almighty God. In this article I will give you three reasons why I believe God exists. The God of Israel is called Yahweh. That is His name. So, when I use the terms God, the Almighty, the Eternal, the Lord, the Most High, Jehovah etc, I mean Yahweh the God of Israel.

1. The Marvels of Creation

My first reason for believing that God exists is the creation. Every week the manifold marvels of the natural world are seen on TV by millions of viewers. It would be difficult to find a person in the western world who does not secretly marvel at the wonders of nature. Films about plants, animals, insects, fish, birds, reptiles and other living organisms are legion. I spend hours watching them. Add to this endless array are other films about outer space and the wonders of the sprawling universe of which earth forms but a tiny part. Did the universe really begin with a big bang, as some claim, and then evolve over billions of years to its present complexity? Or was the universe created by God? There is no way anyone can prove evolution or creation: both possibilities must be accepted by faith. We humans cannot hang around for billions of years to prove by experiment and observation the claims of evolution. Neither are we able to command God to prove His existence and power by doing a miracle before our eyes. Jesus Christ classified the 'demand for proof' as a sign of disbelief, as spiritual adultery! The Bible tells us many things about the wise and the foolish, the just and the unjust, the faithful and the adulterous. Consider these texts:
Psalm 14:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."
Matthew 16:4 "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas ..." (meaning his Resurrection)
Habakkuk 2:4 ... "... the just shall life by faith."

But even though we are unable to prove creation by commanding God to reveal Himself, we still have enough evidence in nature to satisfy the thinking mind. Literally scores of inexplicable, natural marvels confront us every day: from the tiniest garden herb and insect to the giant galaxies that populate space. All these wonders, the small and the large, could hardly have happened of their own accord - even given trillions of years. Molecular biologist Michael Denton writes in his book: Evolution, A Theory in Crisis:
"Is it really credible that random processes could have constructed a reality, the smallest element of which - a functional protein or gene - is complex beyond ... anything produced by the intelligence of man?"
No it is not credible: and that is why many scientists are abandoning the theory of evolution in favour of special creation. The marvels of nature, all thinking minds will one day admit, have been designed and brought into being by an infinitely brilliant and powerful Being - Almighty God! There is only one logical explanation on hand for their existence: and that is special creation! The Bible supports this observation in the following verses:
Romans 1: 20: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22: Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
Isaiah 42:5 "Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:"
Isaiah 45:8 "Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it"
verse 12 "I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded ..."
verse 18 "For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else."

Yes, witnessing the wonders of the natural world is my first reason for believing that God exists: and that He is the Creator of the heavens, the earth, the sea and the fountains of water. Those who dismiss this inevitable conclusion are classified in scripture as fools!
Psalm 14:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."

See articles: Evolution ... Fact or Fallacy?   and   Creation for more on this point.

2. The Sure Word of Bible Prophecy

My second reason for believing that God exists is Bible prophecy. A third of the Bible is prophecy: the recorded forecast of events due to take place on earth. Mankind is totally incapable of forecasting future events. Of the millions who do the lottery each week, not a single person is able to infallibly forecast the winning numbers. They may make an accurate guess once in a while; but guesswork is not knowing in advance. Guesswork is not prophecy. No one is able to predict the winning numbers week after week. Accurately forecasting the future of nations, towns and even individuals thousands of years before they appear on the stage of history is infinitely more difficult than forecasting lottery numbers. Yet Yahweh, the Almighty God of Abraham does just that with stunning regularity. The Bible contains many prophecies that are at this very moment coming true all over the world. See our Prophecy Page for examples. Literally hundreds of Bible prophecies have already come true and others await fulfilment in the very near future. This is irrefutable evidence that God, who inspired the Bible, does exist and that He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets.
Daniel 2:28 "...There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days."
Amos 3:7 "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

As Jesus said "... The scriptures must be fulfilled." (Mark 14:49)

3. Personal Experience

My third reason for believing that God exists is personal experience. This reason is listed third in sequence, but it is by no means third in importance. It is every bit as important as the other two and, perhaps, even more so, because I have personally proved that Yahweh has lived up to every promise He ever made concerning those who put their faith in Him and His son. Since my baptism in 1952 when I was 21 years of age He has blessed me, my wife and my family beyond measure; far more than we have ever deserved. So I can personally say: As the old chorus says: "You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart!"

Summary

  1. All nature reveals the amazing handiwork of the Creator. Scientists, palaeontologists, geologists, astronomers, chemists, physicists, mathematicians, cosmologists, zoologists and physicians in their thousands are now rejecting the theory of evolution and are placing their faith in God. The theory of evolution is in serious trouble as every new advance in science confirms Special Creation.

  • Bible Prophecy is proof of divine authorship. God alone is able to forecast events with such unerring accuracy. Bible prophecy is more reliable than eyesight. It is proof that God exists! Consider the Almighty's own words concerning prophecy and also king Nebuchadnezzar's admission to the prophet Daniel.
    Isaiah 42:8-9 "I am Yahweh: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
    Daniel 2:47 "The king answered Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets ..."
  • From my own personal experience I can confirm that YAHWEH the Almighty God of Israel exists. For well over forty five years now I have received of His blessing and have personally proved that His words, promises and laws are all reliable and good. Let me end w ith the words of Yahshua the Messiah, the Son of the Most High. Go ahead and take up his offer and let him reveal your heavenly Father to you! Then you will have no doubt, whatsoever, that God does exist.
    Matthew 11: 27: All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
    28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
    29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
    30: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

    SBS     Vital Topics

    Author: David B Loughran
    Stewarton Bible School, Stewarton, Scotland
    February 1996     ... Reformatted: December 1999