Devotion

 

Just the other day I saw a bumper sticker stating, “In Science We Trust.”  Science consists of human interpretations and conclusions based on human observations.  God gave us our senses and intends for us to use them to increase our understanding of the world he made with the goal of making use of that understanding to his glory.  That is inherent in the Lord’s command to Adam and Eve to “subdue the earth and rule over it” (Genesis 1:28).  In the light of and in submission to God and his word, science serves a good purpose.

 

In the past two centuries, however, science has become the new idolatry.  The idols fashioned by human hands out of wood, stone, or metal have given way to what has been fashioned by the human mind: a universe without a Maker; life forms without a Designer; a morality without a lawgiver.  Since God cannot be directly touched, measured or seen, (Even though the work of his hands can be clearly seen.)  many human minds conclude he must not exist.  Trusting God involves trusting what is unseen.  Trusting science involves trusting what is seen.

 

When God’s chosen people, Israel, shifted their trust from the unseen to the seen, he pointed them to the inability of the works of their hands to help them.  “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless” (Isaiah 44:9).  Their visible idols were powerless to rescue them from pestilence, disease and foreign invaders.

 

The current pandemic has brought science to the forefront and has served to put science in its proper place.  Based on our best human observances, conclusions and remedies people continue to die from COVID-19 as they do from many other causes.  Ultimately science proves two rules.

Rule #1 - People die.

Rule #2 - Science and medicine can’t change rule #1.  

Only Scripture can explain the “why” behind rules 1 & 2.  The curse of sin.  “Dust you are and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19).  Just as Scripture alone explains the “why” behind death only Scripture provides the solution:

 

“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD,

“and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me

and understand that I am he.

Before me no god was formed,

nor will there be one after me.

I, even I, am the LORD,

and apart from me there is no Savior.”  (Isaiah 43:10-11)

 

As the impotence of the gods of science, medicine and material things becomes more apparent, the world reels in deepening shock and despair.  But God has put us where we are to direct the people around us to his Son.  In Christ, sin has lost its power and death its sting. In Christ, we utilize science to be good stewards of our health while boldly fulfilling our callings.  May God strengthen us to be examples of trust and calm during these trying days for those living in fear and panic around us.

 

Speaking of God’s wisdom, by his grace our MN District schools are experiencing a tremendous uptick of inquiries and enrollments from the community.  These are precious blood-bought souls who will hear of the One who is their Rock and Redeemer for at least the next nine months.  May the Holy Spirit renew their hearts and minds to say with us, “In God We Trust”.

 

In Christ,

 

Dennis Klatt

District President of the Minnesota District of the WELS

God Be With You Till We Meet Again!