When Fear Grips The Heart...
In the aftermath of natural and man-made destruction coming upon our family in America, reviewing the story of Job in the Old Testament comes to heart. I encourage all to read and be open to where these attacks may have come from. What was Katrina and Rita all about? Is it God's judgment, warning of the escalating judgment coming or was it Satan's blow against a "Christian nation"?
Storms Of God's Glory
(photo by Gary Winship)
(photo by Gary Winship)
Many years ago, a man named Job lived in the land of Uz. He was a truly good person, who respected God and refused to do evil. Job had seven sons and three daughters. He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pair of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East.
Job's sons took turns having feasts in their homes, and they always invited their three sisters to join in the eating and drinking. After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them of any wrongs they may have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God.
One day, when the angels had gathered around the LORD, and Satan was there with them, the LORD asked, "Satan, where have you been?"
Satan replied, "I have been going all over the earth."
Then the LORD asked, "What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him--he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil."
"Why shouldn't he respect you?" Satan remarked. "You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere. Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face."
The LORD replied, "All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job." Then Satan left.
One day, when the angels had gathered around the LORD, and Satan was there with them, the LORD asked, "Satan, where have you been?"
Satan replied, "I have been going all over the earth."
Then the LORD asked, "What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him--he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil."
"Why shouldn't he respect you?" Satan remarked. "You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere. Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face."
The LORD replied, "All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job." Then Satan left.
Job's sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his oldest son, when someone rushed up to Job and said, "While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass, a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I was the only one who escaped to tell you."
That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running up and saying, "God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." (NOTE: Was it God or a man's interpretation?)
Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, "Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, "Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said: "We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The LORD alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the LORD!"
In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.
(Job 1:1-22 CEV)
God specifically said to Satan, "...do what you will..." This indicates Satan's ability, but only with allowance from God, to reek havoc. He did so and continues to do so even upon righteous Christians. He used evil men and forces of nature to accomplish the attack on Job. His effort is defeated in our stedfast faith in God.
Consider the disciples that were slaughtered for the sake of their testimony of Jesus and not just during biblical accounts but those that perish daily. Even Paul admitted to watching the killings of many brought on by his own accusations against the early Christian church. Unknown numbers of believers continue to pay the ultimate price for their testimony of Jesus on this very day.
Could these recent traumatic disasters in the US and abroad be the first wave of what is spoken of by Jesus?
That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running up and saying, "God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." (NOTE: Was it God or a man's interpretation?)
Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, "Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, "Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said: "We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The LORD alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the LORD!"
In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.
(Job 1:1-22 CEV)
God specifically said to Satan, "...do what you will..." This indicates Satan's ability, but only with allowance from God, to reek havoc. He did so and continues to do so even upon righteous Christians. He used evil men and forces of nature to accomplish the attack on Job. His effort is defeated in our stedfast faith in God.
Consider the disciples that were slaughtered for the sake of their testimony of Jesus and not just during biblical accounts but those that perish daily. Even Paul admitted to watching the killings of many brought on by his own accusations against the early Christian church. Unknown numbers of believers continue to pay the ultimate price for their testimony of Jesus on this very day.
Could these recent traumatic disasters in the US and abroad be the first wave of what is spoken of by Jesus?
Are we approaching the end of the age?
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
(Luke 21:25-27)
In Bible study we often are anointed with the truth that the only answer to our own personal perplexities and tragedies can be simply stated.
Jesus said, "Fear not, I am with you always, even until the end."
"Let your heart not be troubled."
"Trust God."
"Hope in the Lord."
"Look up. Your redemption draws near."
God bless you, dear reader.
Understand that knowing the Lord is a lifetime pursuit. And knowing Him completely is impossible in this life on earth. Whether what is happeneing is judgment or a time of trial for believers and unbelievers alike, we should humble ourselves in the midst of the pride of man.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
(Luke 21:25-27)
In Bible study we often are anointed with the truth that the only answer to our own personal perplexities and tragedies can be simply stated.
Jesus said, "Fear not, I am with you always, even until the end."
"Let your heart not be troubled."
"Trust God."
"Hope in the Lord."
"Look up. Your redemption draws near."
God bless you, dear reader.
Understand that knowing the Lord is a lifetime pursuit. And knowing Him completely is impossible in this life on earth. Whether what is happeneing is judgment or a time of trial for believers and unbelievers alike, we should humble ourselves in the midst of the pride of man.
We should truly reach out to the poor in spirit and those that are in truely in poverty. Though we will see Him and become like Him, whether in an instant or progressively, seeking the mysteries and, especially, the heart of our Father in heaven should be our single ambition. All else will fall in place as we learn to trust God.
Study (the Word) to show yourself approved of God.
John Gill wrote "Not unto men, as pleasing them; for such who study to please men, are not the servants of Christ; and sometimes those that are approved to and by men, are disapproved of by God and Christ: but unto God, showing all fidelity and uprightness; speaking out the Gospel openly, and freely, with all sincerity, as in the sight of God; commending themselves to him, and to every man's conscience, by manifestation of the truth; and such will hear, 'Well done, good and faithful servant' another day."
As you study you will read that a day will come when you will be asked by God to judge the angels. By what judgment will you judge? Search the scriptures. They are the flowing living water that will go forward from you to replenish those that thirst today and assist us in righteous judgment according to the Father's heart. It will flow through the calling and unique talent God has blessed you with.
Gary Winship
Agape Touch
No comments:
Post a Comment