During these unusual days of trials and challenges, we have been forced to think about such things as security, protection, evil, and even the realities of death itself. One cannot go anywhere without the discussion or the media explaining of an enemy that lurks among us likes shadows but without substance. At times, there seems no escape from an opposing force that calls us evil. We wrestle with our feelings of fear, anger, and anxiety only to wonder what will become of all of this? It is one of those dreadful things like going to the doctor, the hospital, or worse a funeral. As much as we try to ignore, forget or put off the experience, the forces of time make such events an eventual reality. As the old saying goes, time stops for no one.
After years of beating yourself up over whether your decisions in life were right or wrong, smart or dumb, wise or foolish, some find their battered bodies and minds in need of an overhaul. Is your heart congested with a blockage of feelings? Is your brain struggling with an overload of human thoughts and emotions? Does your body exhibit signs of rust, decay and wear? Little do we know, that by grace, we are in the process of a gigantic recall. Throughout the years, registered letters from God have been sent to all of us for a problem that we must fix. "Oh no" one says, "this is not for me, maybe someone else, I'm fine". So, we ignore it, for other things that are more important. Besides, there is much to do and if one blinks, you might miss the game, the promotion, or your place in line. So, we push ourselves, hoping that the winks in life will give us prosperity, good luck, front row seats, and the blessings of God. As well, we hope the blinks in life will keep us from pain, suffering, bad luck, and the wrath of God. Maybe it explains why some think the traditional God will use his love to save all of us regardless of our condition. Or why some think the modern, ever changing God has given the okay to drop the Ten Commandments, to misuse the power of His Name, to tinker with life itself, or to have multiple Gods. Or could it be that some believe that God has just fallen asleep or just not there?
The question "Does God wink or blink?" may seem silly but it is meant to make each of you think, for your answer may be of great value to you in the days to come. The question is not intended to trick you or scare you, but lead you to a source of power that many have found through the long corridors of time. The names of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Jeremiah, are just a few that still continue today, for it is the faithful who fight on a spiritual battlefield of truth and error, Christ and Satan, the things of man and the things of God. How many of you know that approximately 160,000 Christians in the world are being killed yearly for their faith in Christ? Why? Are we watching? Is God watching?
The fact is that God has been watching since the beginning of time and has never taken his eye off his creation…no not one millisecond. And, as the kings of the world have conspired over and over again throughout history, God, El Shaddai, (the Greek translation is "the one who is all powerful) laughs, rebukes in anger, and says my Son will be King of Kings, be wise, take refuge in him, or you will be broken like pieces of pottery. (Psalm 2: 1-12)
The question you can ask is... did God wink or blink when his Son, who was perfect, obedient to the Father, was crucified on the cross and yelled out "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani"? - which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) No! God the Father never winked nor blinked for it is the same God that is called "the God that provides" (Jehovah-Jireh), who saved the son of Abraham. It is the same God that is called "the God that lifts up" (Jehovah-Nissi) who parted the seas to save Moses and his people. It is the same God that is called "the God that heals" (Jehovah-Rophe) who saved Jeremiah. It is the same God that is called "the God that is the Commander of all" (Jehovah-Sabaoth) who by the works of his Son, allows us to stand innocent in a guilty world. (Revelation 19:11-16) It is the Almighty, whom Christ knew was his Heavenly Father, that so loved the world, he sent his only begotten Son to take OUR sins, so all who believe in the resurrection and its purpose, will not perish in a sinful, hostile world.
We are so human, so filled with emotions of good and bad that we want God to wink at us and give us the "thumbs up" that all is okay. We also want a God that blinks, so he will miss or ignore our transgressions. The truth is in our fears and guilt, we have no place to hide, no place to leave our consciousness…it is a small world and it follows us around no matter where we go. Genesis 3: 8-12. Like frightened children, we run to places of cover and safety. The choice is free will but why do we become prisoners of our own devices? Maybe it is because we just cannot kill the beast. Is it not strange to you that Christ had a choice? As God himself, he had the power to do anything, even hide or run from his Father's Providence. Yet, Christ chose to be the suffering servant, to use his humanity, so he could take the full wrath of his Father's judgment for OUR sins.
As the world finds itself in turmoil of values, beliefs, and strategies, beware of the strengths of men. They boast of power, prophesize of God, but in reality, they are powerless, for none can escape the penalty of sin…death. (Mark 13:1-2) It is the power of El Shaddai, who never changes, never blinks, never winks, that gives us a promise, a plan of rescue for the imperfect, the sinner, so by genuine faith and repentance, our Lord Jesus Christ sets us free forever and ever. (Hebrews 11)
My daily prayers are with each and every one of you. Do not despair, for it is the power of God, El Shaddai that restores a peace and joy that transforms one from the darkness of the world to the light of God's Kingdom...so it can be yours or someone you know. So I leave you with the song and words of El Shaddai.
May the peace of God be with all of you
Ron Nagy