Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

This is a justly famous line, and it is as true today as when David composed it. Whatever arguments you might have over theology, the existence of a Creator is remarkably obvious. Whereas no one can “prove” God exists, it is far harder to prove He does not exist! The pitfalls of atheism are so many and so severe that several books have been written on the subject. However, books by themselves will never convince the committed atheist, because he has such an emotional commitment to his atheism, however intellectual he might claim it to be. Pascal’s famous quote about a “God-shaped hole” in everyone’s heart is remarkably accurate, and those who protest they don’t have one are affirming the applicability of this verse to themselves. It is worth noting, and very interesting, that the man we now know as “The Buddha” was actually an atheist philosopher who knew nothing of astronomy and physics. He didn’t really touch on why or how the world exists, but was rather convinced that human desires and appetites were the source of all unhappiness, so for him, the ultimate good was negation of those desires and appetites. He was actually quite the nihilist. As he was approaching death, he gave strict instructions to his disciples not to make him into a god, so they didn’t – they made him into The Buddha! They recognized the vacuum in their own hearts, and tried to make him the one to fill that. He was trying to get rid of the vacuum, but he couldn’t do it, and millions have been following that particular path of deception ever since.

Living in a land that is nominally both Buddhist and Shinto, I deal with people all the time who have a non-Christian framework. They are generally less antagonistic toward Christianity than those who come from “Christian” countries who are in active rebellion! Most Japanese have no real faith, but rather a collection of superstitions that are only loosely tied to any religion. They generally go through the motions of both Buddhism and Shinto, and even tack on a few Christian elements, like celebrating Christmas. It is an enormous challenge to reach them with the Gospel, because they have no grasp of the possibility, even, of a central pillar of faith, a true Savior. They are generally not so much committed atheists as profoundly ignorant, and the devil does all he can to try to keep them that way. Events such as the tsunami a few years ago break many out of that trap, and testimonies from the area have actually been quite encouraging. I am never to give up, even as I recognize that my own efforts, in and of themselves, will never save anyone. However, I must not be so foolish as to think that God could not use me to save people, and I must keep myself actively available for that purpose.

Father, You know all the people to whom I witness, and You know whose hearts You have prepared to receive the Gospel. Help me trust You enough to be actively obedient, speaking Your words as You indicate in the context of a life that demonstrates Christ, so that as many as possible may indeed be saved, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!