Sunday, July 20, 2014

Troubled World

There will always be trouble in this world. The Bible tells us that; It rains on the good (just, righteous) and the bad (unjust, unrighteous).  Troubled times in our lives are sometimes necessary for us to seek God. In fact we will never understand our need for Jesus until we lament in our need for God. 
The story of Job is a great example of how God can use crisis to bring us closer to Him. At the beginning Job does this (worships, gives sacrifices to the Lord), and God does that (blesses Job). 

Then Job abruptly discovers there is a missing piece to the equation. Job loses all his wealth and children. 
Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Just when Job could have let go, God shows up, but it required two things. Jobs friends had to quit talking and Job needed to listen to God. We see Job’s realization of the problem in the following Scripture.
His Redeemer (needed) – Job 9:33  If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together,
His Revelation (for Jesus) - Job 16:19 - Even now my witness is in heaven;my advocate is on high. I know my Redeemer lives!
His Realization (friends nonsense)Job 19:2 - “How long will you torment me and crush me with words?

The answer for Job is not that he got his stuff back after his troubles, but that he got God back. A great example of God's grace. Amen?