My pastor growing up, Dr. John MacArthur Sr, would tell us the story about a man who wore one of those sandwich-board signs as he walked the streets. On the front it said, “I am a fool for Christ.” People walked by and mocked and laughed, but as they went by they read the back which asked, “Whose fool are you?” The day I sat at Panera writing this lesson, a man walked by my table and stopped. Pointing to my Bible he said, “You believe that book?” I invited him to sit down, and over the course ...
My pastor growing up, Dr. John MacArthur Sr, would tell us the story about a man who wore one of those sandwich-board signs as he walked the streets. On the front it said, “I am a fool for Christ.” People walked by and mocked and laughed, but as they went by they read the back which asked, “Whose fool are you?” The day I sat at Panera writing this lesson, a man walked by my table and stopped. Pointing to my Bible he said, “You believe that book?” I invited him to sit down, and over the course of the next 30 minutes, he and I talked about what he thought was foolishness and what I believed was the inspired words of God. “If it makes you feel better and helps you live right, I don’t care. But, don’t tell me it’s true. It’s not. I can’t believe all that.” For him, “the word of the cross is foolishness” but to me and all who are being saved by it, “it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18) He left my table scoffing at my assurance to pray for him. “If I’m going to get to heaven it’ll be on my own two feet not because of some 2000-year dead man.” Like those who scoffed at Noah while he labored for 300 years building a ridiculous structure they had never seen or imagined before, this man left my table scoffing at the only thing that will save his life: the cross. How foolish I am to spend time in the Word for a God I cannot see with my eyes. How silly to waste my time writing and studying so others can understand this God. How worthless my hours are spent praying for him and others who I know who continue to reject the cross. The cross is foolishness. The ark was too – until it wasn’t. The ark was the only way to be saved. When God’s righteous judgment flooded the earth, it lifted to safety all who had placed their faith in him and destroyed all who rejected Him. One day by faith, I know God’s righteous judgment will once again come. Those who are eagerly waiting for him will be saved – lifted above the horror of his fury. Those who have trampled underfoot the son of God, will realize exactly who they have been a fool for – themselves, and, “just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.”
I mentioned my testimony in this podcast. If you are interested in hearing it you can find it under the title "Unexpected Hope." For nearly 20 years I was in a marriage with a man who struggled with depression, control and rage issues. He was addicted to alcohol, drugs, and sex. He betrayed our marriage vows and was physically and emotionally abusive. During this terrible season I felt so alone and hopeless, yet God continually called me to stay. How could I stay under such circumstances? Why was I so "foolish?" Was there any hope? I wasn't sure, but I knew what God had asked me to do. I share this story of hope in my life in that podcast and I trust it will be an encouragement to you today. Click Here
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