Come and See

Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him, who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations— let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance. I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble. I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. (Psalm 66:5-16 ESV). So much can be said of the man known as “St. Augustine.” He is known for his extensive writings. Confessions has long been a requirement for every student of Christian theology. Interestingly, Augustine of Hippo is the patron of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break. Augustine tried many of the philosophies in his day. Perhaps most telling of his life is his assertion that when he came to Christ, he said that which was missing in all those philosophies he had studied was the word “Come.” They were impersonal, but the Christian faith was one that graciously invited us to a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In our reading today the Psalmist invites us to “come and see.” He wants us to see the wonderful things God has done. Then he singles out one such thing, “He turned the sea into dry land.” God’s works of creation are great. This universe that God created with one word of his power consists of an estimated 50 billion galaxies according to Hubble telescope sightings in 1996! But his redemptive acts on behalf of believers are even more wonderful. The children of Israel were trapped by the Egyptian army after they left Egypt. But God opened the waters before them so that they could escape. When the first disciples asked Jesus about himself, he replied, “Come and see.” We too are invited to see who Jesus is and what he has done. He is the Son of God, he is the Lord of glory. He is the one who walked this earth, always reaching out to help people. He is the one who was willing to die to rescue us from ourselves and our sin. Today that very same invitation is ours. We simply need to come. If there is any doubt in your mind whether he is real and desires to forgive and restore you completely, the simple existence of that doubt is the gentle calling of the Holy Spirit in your heart. Come and see today!