From the writings of the
Rev. Billy Graham
Q: As a student of archaeology, I am studying what is called the myth of the great flood. My professor says that anyone who truly believes this account fails to believe truth by evidence. What can I say to refute that?
A:“Archaeology substantiates Noah’s Flood,” said the London Times in 1929. The article that followed gave an archaeologist’s view of the civilization that existed prior to the flood. The Bible also gives a vivid account of the corruption and the sin of that day. At least 2,000 years of human history had intervened since the spotless purity of Eden. During that same period there had been a vast increase in population with woeful deterioration resulting in appalling moral corruption. Sin, crime, immorality, the breaking of home life, unnatural affection, murders, demon possession—these were common characteristics of the civilization immediately preceding the deluge. The great civilization that had taken years to build was destroyed in the space of 40 days.
The flood never destroyed the people of that day! Sin had already done its deadly work of eating out the heart and core of the ancient civilization before the flood came. There is a fundamental law of God, a law apparent from Genesis to Revelation that says, “The wages of sin is death.” The wages of a nation’s sin, the wages of an organization’s sin, the wages of individual sin, is death. This is the reason God sent His Son to provide a way of escape and all who hope for a better life should put their trust in the Gospel of Christ. “Trust in Him at all times” (Psalm 62:8). God will never let you down.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
Q: I have recently lost two friends who overdosed on drugs. It has made me depressed and most of my thoughts are unhappy. I can’t do anything for them now, so how can I change my thinking?
A: From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Grief can kill a person emotionally and physically. If not counteracted with God’s strength and power, our personal weakness may debilitate us. An onslaught of grief can cause people to think they are losing their minds. The grief-stricken person can lose the ability to concentrate, which adds to his or her panic. This may lead, then, to emotional paralysis. Guilt, anger, resentment and panic are some of the faces of grief. None of these reactions are abnormal.
Like soldiers going into battle, we need to be prepared for grief, but the culture of today does not prepare us for it. What we need more than anything else during times of grief is a friend who stands with us; someone who will not leave us. Jesus is that friend. The Lord prepares us to weather life’s storms. He tells us to have faith in Him. He has told us that He will be with us always and never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Often it takes that “knife in our heart” to drive us to Him. Our faith is dependent upon God, and when we enter the valley of grief, we need His help or we will never overcome the sorrow that weighs us down.
If you belong to Christ ask Him to give you joy. The Bible says to fill our minds with things that are true, honorable, pure and lovely and “His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NLT).
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
