Is God dead?
By: Rodel Naval
http://www.RodelNaval.com

This could be anyone's question. How could He be dead when man, His master creation, still is capable of reason, justice and mercy. Behold, the heavenly bodies in a massive synchronized locomotion, circling definite orbital paths, at amazing rates of speed and hanging in balanced attractions. What a host more of celestial handiworks and wanderments, only a Master craftsman could have fashioned in His own inimitable ways. See the green grass, wet with morning dew; the birds singing the break of dawn. These are parts of His great design; alive with Him, the living God.

God must be alive; but, why must there be so much hatred, greed, lust, envy in this world of ours? Does God tolerate these evils, to weaken if not to defeat the forces of righteousness? It would be sacrilegious just to think of such an idea. Because God is love. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Still, I, like you, marvel into the mystery of His purpose. I pray that I be endowed with an unshakeable faith in the wisdom of His will ... His decisions. That I, by His grace, be fortified with the courage and determination to avoid evil thoughts and evil deeds. That should misfortune befalls me, I shall take it merely as a trial of life. That those who suffer the pain of affliction, the disgrace of defeat and the pang of adversity, should be spurred to greater heights of hope and expectation for the grace of God.

I do come to Him in prayers. I ask Him for so many things, precisely, during times when I'm in need; when I'm in sorrow; when I'm in despair. Then I would look around, should I by any chance see Him or hear Him answers my prayers... but only to realize that He is not there. His voice is nowhere to be heard and that my prayers become just a part of the air that I breathe. Is there anything wrong with my prayers? Er, is God dead that He hears not my prayers. But God is there whenever I pray. I won't doubt His presence, His kindness, His solicitude. God says, "If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and shall be done unto you."

But why will God fail me? Is it because I shall come to Him only when I'm in trouble; only when I'm in need and only when I'm unhappy? Oh, what a despicable life that would be. Or could it be that there is selfishness, rancid and hate in my heart? Is it because ... it really doesn't matter how I shall earn my living or how shall I amass wealth? I could short-change my customers; rub the peoples' money ... just to satisfy my earthly desires and selfish motives. But will my life came close to God that way? Of course, not.

Now these things I shall consider. In spite of my many sins and faults, God would have not forsaken me. For God is forgiving and merciful. He would want me to accept Him truly in my life as my Lord and Savior. It would be a new direction for me, a long straight narrow path, leading to the fountain of righteousness, ever gushing with water of eternal love and grace of God.

Friends, all of us long for success. Yet, when we are met with failures, in our attempt to attain success, we are apt to cry our hearts out. Great is the man whose life is an unfailing source of inspiration because when frustration comes his way, he steels himself, faces the cruel world with a song in his heart, a smile in his lips. He then offers his life trustingly unto Him, the Messiah, the living God.

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Rodel Naval is the author of the above article and is one of my favorite singer during 90's. He composed and popularised the song entitled, "Lumayo Ka Man." The song became famous when the flash flood in Ormoc City, Philippines occured in 1991. Rodel & his songs were my inspiration during that Ormoc tragedy that killed around 10,000 people.
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