College Student Life Questions & Answers

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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.


Have a great day and God bless!