Ignorance Ignores God

Acts 14:11-17 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.
 
PEOPLE are ignorant of God. When Peter and John healed a lame man in the Jerusalem temple, the authorities denied God’s work and jailed them. Paul and Barnabas did miraculous signs and wonders in Iconium. Some believed and some rejected the gospel. Now in Lystra, the evangelists heal a lame man. The people believe the pagan gods Zeus and Hermes have come.
   Is ignorance too harsh a word? Not according to God’s Word. For example, in Psalm 73 we read of Asaph, one of Israel’s faithful worship leaders and psalm writers. He was struggling with the success and wealth of ungodly people. If they were happy and well-to-do, what good was it to follow God’s laws? He wondered, “God, what are you dong?”
   But then Asaph went into the Lord’s sanctuary to be with God. Listen to how he came to understand the reason for his faith struggle: Psalms 73:22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. With worshipful humility, Asaph considered God and remembered who God is. Commentator Warren W. Wiersbe explains it this way: “Asaph realized God isn't a problem to wrestle with but a gracious Person to love and worship – especially when you are perplexed by what he is doing.”
   Yes, Paul, Barnabas, Peter and the others could have wondered God, “What are you doing?” as they experienced oppression’s deep hatred, and they watched friends and colleagues die in the Lord’s work. Instead, they worshiped God. They know he is the eternal God, who has revealed his personal power, unrelenting love and eternal salvation through his suffering. If Jesus had suffered to save them, they could suffer to save others.
   It’s easy to ask, “What are you doing, God?” But let’s first consider, “I know who you are, LORD. Thank you, God, for what you have done to redeem my life. I rejoice in your goodness now and forever.” Faithful disciples do not live in ignorance of God’s eternal love.