OBSCURITY
Mankind possesses a strong desire for community, the desire to belong. We also desire to be recognized and to be appreciated for our contribution to society. We wish for life to have meaning and purpose. Some fear that they will not be known or understood in the present. Others fear that they will be forgotten after they have passed. In either case the thought of fading to obscurity is unsettling. These fears are not unfounded. It is entirely possible to be overlooked, underappreciated, and forgotten by our fellowman. Such is not the case when it comes to our Creator. King David was amazed at the intimate knowledge God possessed about him. We are known and we will not be forgotten!
“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” (Psalms 139:1-16 NKJV)
God knows our thoughts which means He also knows our fears. The fear of obscurity may present a temptation to build an empire. The desire to leave a legacy has been the downfall of many. The accumulation of material things as a memorial may impress in this world but it does not impress God. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV) “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NKJV) Ironically, we should fear that God has been obscured by our selfish desires. The very essence of damnation is eternal separation from God.
God has made every effort to befriend you. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV) “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:13 NKJV) God, the Father, sent His Son and God, the Son, gave His life to secure your life for His eternal purpose. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14 NKJV)