The Count

So I spent the last few months, July - Oct, reading "The Count of Monte Cristo" (Google books|Project Guttenburg) by Alexandre Dumas. It was an amazing story. I used to think that Tom Clancy had invented the literary style of bringing a lot of different story lines that seem unrelated finally together in a climactic ending, but really Dumas had been doing it 150 years earlier. The plot lines and characters swing out of nowhere and surprise you. Dumas even tries to throw off the reader a few times as you think you know who is doing what.

The Count, Edmond Dantes, is wrongly convicted of a crime he didn't commit and basically 'dies' in prison. He eventually escapes 14 years later and spends the great wealth he is gifted with while in prison to carry out justice against those who put him into prison. Despite the justice of his cause, he is conflicted with whether or not he is acting on behalf of Providence.

I had lots of favorite parts, but I wanted to quote this one passage from chapter 84: "The Hand of God" The Count, playing an abbe, is speaking with Caderousse, a thief and a liar, who is dying from a knife wound (not inflicted by the Count) and the two go back and forth discussing the existence of Providence. We'll pick up with Caderousse speaking:

"I do not believe there is a God!" howled Caderousse; "you do not believe it: you lie -- you lie!"
"Silence!" said the abbe; "you will force the last drop of blood from your veins. What! you do not believe in God when he is striking you dead? -- You will not believe in him, who requires but a a prayer, a word, a tear, and He will forgive -- God, who might have directed the assassin's dagger so as to end your career in a moment, has given you this quarter of an hour for repentance. Reflect, then, wretched man, and repent."
"No," said Caderousse, "no; I will not repent. There is no God, there is no Providence -- all comes by chance."
"There is a Providence, there is a God," said Monte Cristo, "of which you are a striking proof, as you lie in utter despair, denying him; while I stand before you, rich, happy, safe, and entreating that God, in whom you endeavor not to believe, while in your heart you still believe in him."

I don't know if he was a Christian or not, but I believe Dumas has it right. Man knows in his heart that God is real. Man may deny it, he may fight it, he may loose himself in great or small debauchery to get away from the knowledge of Providence. But man cannot shake loose His Creator's touch. We all know that we are on this world for more than just living and dying. We are here to 'love God and enjoy Him forever.' But to do that we must repent as the Count says above. God grants mercy continually by allowing us while we're still sinners to continue to live that we might be given opportunity to repent and come to Christ.

If you are denying the existence of God, think about why you don't want Him to exist. Is it because you prefer to go your own way instead of His? Come to His mercy. Repent of your unbelief and submit to Him as Lord. You will be saved. Come today. Don't be lost. The gifts He offers are greater than the things you will give up in response to His Lordship. Please come, your danger is great. His mercy could be at an end even tonight. Don't risk it.