By David Wright
In March I received an interesting email forwarded by my good friend Dwight. It said that without God the days of our week would be “Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, and Shatterday.” How true! I have often wondered why anyone would want to live even one day without God.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul describes the spiritual condition of his Gentile readers before their conversion. He writes: “Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). This text paints a bleak picture indeed.
Without God in my day I am “separated from Christ.” Jesus is not there when I am discouraged, distressed, or grief-stricken. He is not there when I have sinned and need an advocate in heaven. He is not there when his wise counsel would protect me from making a foolish or hurtful decision. Without God in my world I am utterly alone.
Without God in my day I am “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel” and a stranger to “the covenants of promise.” The great blessings given to the Hebrews, and ultimately realized in the church, have nothing to do with me. I don't belong to God's people. I am not set apart for the Lord's special use. My life has no meaning beyond my own selfish interests. Without God in my world I am cut off.
Without God in my day I have “no hope.” I cannot expect tomorrow to be any better than today. It will probably be worse. I cannot expect to live and rejoice in heaven. My heart sinks every time I give thought to the eternal, fiery punishment hanging over my head. Without God in my world I am in despair.
