Does it matter which God you call to?
Q: "People often pray to a 'God' in hard times. Is everyone having
conversations with the same God? Does it matter which God you call to? Are there
false gods?"
our A: People today like to believe that whoever you are praying
to is fine. It doesn't matter if it's a Hindu god, a saint, Jesus, or Allah. The
important thing is that you are praying, right?
Does it matter which God you call to? What if someone believed that a cactus
could come to their aid? Is it likely that the cactus will come through for
them? Can it analyze their situation? Know the needs of the person? Care about
the person? And choose the wisest course of action to take on their behalf?
What if someone (true story) describes their higher power as a particular ocean
wave at Venice Beach, California? What abilities does that wave possess? Any
intelligence? Any power other than the wind's or tide's affect on it? Can that
wave actually come to their aid? Of course not. The only benefit gained from
faith in either the cactus or the wave is a misguided hope, a psychological
boost.
Moving into some politically incorrect areas now...what if a person refers to
God as Jesus or Allah or Buddha or Brahma or Mother Earth or themselves? Does it
matter? Absolutely!
It's fine to say that a person can benefit from any "god" they choose to hope
in. Even a false god can bring to the person's mind at least a temporary peace,
encouragement and hope. But what if that "god" does not exist? It's like praying
into thin air. Harmless? Yes, this is fine...as long as there is no real God.
But as soon as a real, definite God comes into the picture, then the person runs
into problems. Why?
Because the God Who Is might expect that everyone should be able to recognize
that He is a supremely, vastly powerful God who created this universe, a God who
created them, and One who expects to be acknowledged by them. And maybe to
recognize that this God Who Is Really There is the only one who can really help
them.
A person can pray to a wave or a cactus or to anybody or anything they want, but
the God of the Bible says this...
- "All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced."
(Isaiah 45:16)
- "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no
God." (Isaiah 45:5)
- "It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands
stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts." (Isaiah
45:12)
The Bible also says...
- "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those
who trust in him." (Nahum 1:7)
- "The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is
in his unfailing love." (Psalms 33:18)
- "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes
to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek
him." (Hebrews 11:6)
- "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths
straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
If we are wanting a secure hope, we need to choose the God who exists! How do we
know the real God? We know by looking at the facts, by looking at what God has
revealed about Himself. For help, see the article Beyond
Blind Faith or other articles on this site.
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How to begin a relationship with God
