God and History
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
I have become confirmed in my belief that the Bible is right in saying that God has fashioned the hearts of men alike. We are not together in today’s world linguistically, culturally, or racially. We are divided. We have become a neighborhood without being a brotherhood. Yet there is one area in which I am convinced we are all alike—the spiritual dimension. I believe the hearts of all of us are the same. Our deep needs are identical the world over, for they come from within. Our need is God.
Probably it sounds a bit intolerant and narrow to you for an evangelist to go around the planet preaching the cross—and you are right; for Jesus said that the gate to the Kingdom of heaven is narrow. But we are narrow also in mathematics and in chemistry. If we weren’t narrow in chemistry we would be blowing up the place. We have to be narrow. I am glad that pilots are not so broad-minded that they come into an airport any way that they want.
Why then should we not be narrow when it comes to moral laws and spiritual dimensions? I believe that Christ is different; that He is unique. I believe that He is the Son of the living God and that He did change my life.
Many intellectuals are asking where history is going; they are speculating on what the end will be. I believe that Christ’s prayer, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”—the prayer that you and I often pray—is going to be answered. And when the human race stands at the edge of the abyss, ready to blow itself apart, I believe God will write the last chapter of history. I believe that the future Kingdom is to be the Kingdom of God, that there is a destiny for the human race far beyond anything we can dream. But it will be God’s Kingdom and will come in God’s way.
Our Father and our God, help me to be Your humble servant and by whatever means are necessary draw me closer to You. I want to dwell in Your Kingdom, both here on earth and in heaven for eternity. I bow in reverence to You, Lord, and I await Your command, for I know Your Son is the King of kings. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).