Month: August 2017

There are passages scattered throughout scripture that talk about the sun being blacked out or darkness descending on the land.

1. During the plagues of Egypt, God covered the land in a darkness.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward heaven, and the land of Egypt will be covered with a darkness so thick you can feel it.” So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days. During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived.” Exodus 10:21-23

This certainly sounds like what happens in a total solar eclipse. It is dark in the “cone of totality” but outside that cone it is still bright. We are not about to try to rationalize a miraculous event, but there are some similarities. Yet, this event cannot be, “just” a solar eclipse: the darkness in Egypt was complete. In the solar eclipse that we just experienced, we could see each other just fine. In Egypt, something far more terrifying happened.

Next, an out of nature miracle happened because this darkness lasted 3 whole days. Even in a total solar eclipse, you might get 3 minutes out of the moon completely covering the sun, not 3 days.

2. And during Jesus’ crucifixion something similar happens.

Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.’ Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,” Mark 15:32-33.

 Again, rationally, this sounds like a solar eclipse. But, realistically, this was another miracle that lasted 3 hours, far beyond the time for a total solar eclipse.

3. During the end times, there are biblical prophecies about the sun going dark.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened.”  Matthew 24:29 

 “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.” Revelation 6:12

God is the author of creation. He created light and darkness and then the sun, moon and stars. Since God is sovereign, He may do with His creation whatever He deems best. It seems that these celestial events happen for two reasons: First, is that God wants to communicate some message to us, His creation. Second, God is pouring out His judgement on the earth.

These events in the Bible might attempt to be explained away by some, but we know that God may use a natural event for some things, but He is just as likely to bend the natural law to show His glory.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

ECLIPSE GAME

Have someone put on eclipse glasses. Have someone lead them around by a flashlight. Explain: people have trouble seeing God’s light. They are so blinded that it is like putting on these glasses. As a person gets older, it gets more and more difficult to see.

Boy, there has been a lot of hate going around lately. We sympathize with the victim and the family of the victim in Charlottesville. It was bound to happen. When people walk around with hate in their hearts, and especially when two groups come together with hate toward one another in their hearts, trouble is inevitable.

It is worthless to try to rationalize the actions behind the attack, because the actions were motivated by one thing: hate. One question that came to mind: If the anti-protesters had not shown up, would there have been any violence? The scripture is clear:

A new couple proudly looks at their new baby boy. They decide to name him after mom’s grandfather, named Luke. It takes only one day of visitors, for one of dad’s friends to look at this newborn baby and say, “Luuuuke, use the force.” Or maybe, “Luke….I am your father.” It is unavoidable, little Luke will hear these cracks for the rest of his life.

Little Damien stands little chance because the odds are very good that someone will say, “How unfortunate, you named him after that evil child in The Omen.” Do not be surprised if someone looks in your child’s hair for three little 6’s embedded in his scalp. Of course, there are the interesting names like, Akachi, which in African means “God’s Hands.”

Today, people name their children after anything or anywhere. Names like Mork or Mindy, or Alaska (a top name in 2016) populate our birth certificates. Many times there is an interesting reason that a name is chosen, maybe after a celebrity or sports hero and other times there is no rhyme or reason for a name.

Yet, there is one name that is above all other names and that name belongs to Jesus.

Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Hillsong United produced one of the most popular songs of 2017 called “What a Beautiful Name.” They use words like beautiful, wonderful, and powerful in describing the name of Jesus. The Bible itself tells us that there is power in the name of Jesus. Remember, even unbelievers were doing miracles in the name of Jesus. Another beautiful song by Sandi Patti has lyrics like, “There is power in the name of the Lord….blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Names have meaning, and when you name your children there will be some significance in the choosing of that name. The Queen would not have to give up her firstborn if she could find out Rumpelstiltskin’s name. You could summon the wily ghost if you said, “Bettlejuice, Bettlejuice, Bettlejuice.” The Bible has 939 different names and titles for God. Names are powerful and they have meaning.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Sometime today, sit back and reflect on Jesus and His name. To call upon His name is an invitation for Him to great things in your life. Call His name today.