“Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed.” - Isaiah 6:10
Unbelievers (and many who are fervent believers) often ask the question: “Why doesn’t God do something spectacular today. In view of the entire world?” With the mass media, the internet, and social media moving with the speed of light His “miracle” would undoubtedly be seen by the vast majority of mankind within hours . . . if not within minutes. Such an event would end all doubt as to God’s existence; would it not? All mankind would believe. There would no longer be any excuse for disbelief. So why doesn’t He do it?
I believe the answer is much simpler, ironically simpler than the question. Could it be that God doesn’t want all mankind to believe in Him? Holy scripture certainly supports this view. Isaiah 5 describes a people whom God is sorely disappointed in. Wouldn’t the people of the world today fit into that category? The people of America certainly would.
In chapter six He anoints Isaiah as His prophet and commissions him to go to the people with His unhappiness in them.
It is clear that God never intended for all people to be saved. He blinded them to His truth with no intention of ever revealing it to them.
If you have ever seen a sunrise upon the ocean or the rising of a full moon in clear evening sky and not seen the glory of God within those two simple acts of nature then why would you believe in God if He were to draw up the ocean into a towering wall of water then allow it to recede to its natural place in the order of things. “But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” - Luke 16:31. People had seen Christ, had seen His miracles, and still they refused to believe. No, scripture is clear: not all the people of the world are to be saved through their belief. But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” - John 12:37-38. Only to His elect!
We know why the unbelieving people of the world want to see “a sign”: their hearts are so callous that nothing short of a miraculous vision could ever have a chance of softening them. But why do so many believers wish for such a sign? Could it be that their faith is built on unstable ground? Could it be that they want so badly to believe in Christ Jesus . . . but simply aren’t sure? Are their houses built upon sand?
Lord, Your truth is known to your elect. There is no doubt in you! We need no miracle to day to make us believe. Your grace and Your word is sufficient for us.
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