|
|
|
|
An Act of God…says the Associated Press. Nute 9/4/05 Hurricane Katrina Thoughts. Job 1 – 2:10 (The Message) Introduction. Due to the massive disaster effects of Hurricane Katrina this week, I felt it would be inappropriate to preach this week on our scheduled coverage of Chapter Six, in the Book of Revelation. We will return to that study next Sunday, Lord willing, and you will see why I put if off for one week. I trust you are reading ahead in the chapters you know I’m headed for. You need to pay close attention to what you are seeing on TV these days and the actions of people going through this terrible ordeal. You will see things in Revelation that will remind you of this disaster. For this morning however, I want to try and address some questions that folks have presented to me and questions that my own mind and heart wrestled with during such a time as this. No doubt you have heard media folks and newspaper writing addressing this devastation as….AN ACT OF GOD. At least they acknowledge God exist. That’s a good start, from many of the liberal media and press people. I have chosen to attempt to address these thoughts by once again having us look into GOD’S HEADQUARTERS, like we did last week, when considering Rev. chapters 4&5. Only this time, I want us to look into what many good Bible scholars believe just might be the oldest book of the 66 books of the Bible. The Book of Job. Also, in order for us to have the same wording before us, I have placed as an insert in your bulletin, a print out of the MESSAGE paraphrase, that I want to use as my biblical text this morning. If you were here last week, I trust you will recall, that I mentioned that God gave the DEED to planet earth to Adam and Eve at creation…according to the account given us in Genesis. There we saw that through their act of disobedience (sin) in the Garden of Eden, they forfeited their DOMINION / CONTROL of earth over to Satan. Remember, that in several places in the Holy Bible, Satan/The Devil, is referred to as the "god"…small "g" of this world….the orbiting space craft we live on. Recall how we looked into Luke 4 and saw the Satan trying to get Jesus to bow down and worship him and how Satan lied and promised to give Jesus all the kingdoms of this world….if he would just sneak in one bow…act of worship..to Satan. Praise God Jesus didn’t do it. But Jesus didn’t deny that Satan had the authority to do it. OK, stay with me now, keeping all that in your mind….let us now, by faith, visit GOD’S HEADQUARTERS again….only centuries earlier…and get some spiritual insight….of what could be behind….many what is called NATURAL DISASTERS and ENEMY TERRORIST ATTACKS. You will see with me….that all this takes place within the PERMISSIVE WILL of ALMIGHTY GOD. It is my prayer…that hopefully….before I’m through….you might have a different slant on why God permits such tough times in individual lives, communities, nations, and even global populations. Please take your bulletin insert and follow along with me….as I share my thoughts today. LET US BEGIN WITH PRAYER. Job 1:1-22 1 Job was a man who lived in Uz. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion. Here friends….was a good man, who walked by faith…like you and me…among all the real issues of life. Just like we do. He too would have been watching Fox this week and wondering what was going on around our land. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 3 He was also very wealthy—seven thousand head of sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a huge staff of servants—the most influential man in all the East! 4 His sons used to take turns hosting parties in their homes, always inviting their three sisters to join them in their merrymaking. Looks like his adult kids might be party animals. Siblings must have got along well, they partied together. But we can be sure they were raised in a godly home, taught the things of God by their Dad. It’s not sure that they caught what dad had taught them. 5 When the parties were over, Job would get up early in the morning and sacrifice a burnt offering for each of his children, thinking, "Maybe one of them sinned by defying God inwardly." Job made a habit of this sacrificial atonement, just in case they'd sinned. Here we see Dad, in intercessory prayer for his children before the Throne of Grace. When children grow up to the age of accountability, prayer is often the only weapon parents have to seek God’s protection and grace for them. 6 One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan, who was the Designated Accuser, came along with them. Here is another look…like we had last week in Rev. 4&5 into the Headquarters of God’s universe. Here we see the Accuser of the Believers….reporting to God. 7 God singled out Satan and said, "What have you been up to?" Satan answered God, "Going here and there, checking things out on earth." Remember I mentioned last week, that Adam turned over the dominion control of earth to Satan, when he and Eve, sinned in the Garden of Eden. 8 God said to Satan, "Have you noticed my friend Job? There's no one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil." What a testimony from God about Job. Oh that God might call us His friends too, and He does if we trust in Jesus. And that God could say about us all that He said about, HIS FRIEND JOB. Folks if God endorses us, we ought not care what others may negatively say. 9 Satan retorted, "So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? 10 Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can't lose! 11 "But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He'd curse you right to your face, that's what." Folks…stop and remember with me….Poor Job has no idea that he is the object of attention within the Headquarters of God. Job is sipping tea and planning his trip to Disney World. Not knowing that He is the subject of a serious debate between God and Satan. Just like folks along the Gulf….Job is about to lose many things that are important to him. As we observe folks down south, it is interesting to see how many handle their loses as Job did. 12 God replied, "We'll see. Go ahead—do what you want with all that is his. Just don't hurt him." Then Satan left the presence of God. Dear Fellow Believers….here we see a great biblical fact. Follow me closely. This is what we call…THE PERMISSIVE WILL OF GOD. I believe with all my heart that God Almighty is indeed in control of EVERYTHING. So the only way this storm could have done its terrible deeds, is within the PERMISSIVE WILL OF GOD. We also see God limiting what will happen to Job at this time. Bear in mind again, Job is totally ignorant of all this, he is going about his daily routine no doubt, with no possible clue, what will soon over take him. 13 Sometime later, while Job's children were having one of their parties at the home of the oldest son, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing in the field next to us 15 when Sabeans attacked. They stole the animals and killed the field hands. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." Don’t let us rush through this now. Stop and think here. Who caused these Sabeans to all of a sudden initiate a TERRORIST attack on Job’s possessions? Who stirred them out and put them in the attack mode? Satan. Does Satan have power to move individuals or nations again one another. You bet. Here is biblical proof. 16 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Bolts of lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and fried them—burned them to a crisp. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." Again…stop and think….who had control over the weather this moment on planet earth? Satan must have been behind it. Directing those lightening bolts just like there were guided missiles aimed electronically for both sheep and shepherds. 17 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Chaldeans coming from three directions raided the camels and massacred the camel drivers. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." Here’s another TERROIST group, coming from THREE different directions. As I thought about that while preparing this message, I remember THREE AIRCRAFT coming from THREE DIRECTIONS hitting NY and DC. I know there was FOUR, but brave men forced that one down in PA. But we can see Satan behind these assaults on Job. So Satan can and does assault individuals and nations. To cause havoc, hatred, and confusion among people and nations. 18 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Your children were having a party at the home of the oldest brother 19 when a tornado (hurricane) swept in off the desert (gulf) and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and they died. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." Could Satan have been behind Katrina? I think this shows he has the ability to create serious storms. It has to be within God’s PERMISSIVE WILL, but Satan was indeed behind this storm, that killed Jobs TEN CHILDREN. 20 Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped: 21 Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I'll return to the womb of the earth. God gives, God takes. God's name be ever blessed. 22 Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God. Folks this ending sends chills up my spine. Here is poor Job, lost his fortunes and his dear children that he loved and prayed for. But not once blaming God or cursing God….as Satan said he would. Here indeed is a godly man. We can learn much from Brother Job. He was not sinless, the Bible never states that. If we took the time to study this to the end, we would see God had a lesson in all this for him. But Job was a true believer that trust God during the GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD TIMES. May we do as well. OK… I know I need to finish up….but I want to quickly look at just 10 more verses in Chapter Two...to share a few more thoughts this Sunday. So follow along with me again from your insert, as we move on. Chapter Two of Job (The Message Paraphrase Bible quoted) 1 One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan also showed up. OK….another day comes along, Satan’s attacks on Jobs wealth and family has not turned him from God…or cursed God…..so God is about to brag a bit more on His friend….JOB. 2 God singled out Satan, saying, "And what have you been up to?" Satan answered God, "Oh, going here and there, checking things out." 3 Then God said to Satan, "Have you noticed my friend Job? There's no one quite like him, is there—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil? He still has a firm grip on his integrity! You tried to trick me into destroying him, but it didn't work." Don’t you pray that you and I could fair as well in such a conversation with God and the Devil? I sure do. God is soooo proud of Job. It’s almost like God is saying…IN YOUR FACE SATAN….Job has NOT lost his faith or integrity. 4 Satan answered, "A human would do anything to save his life. 5 But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away his health? He'd curse you to your face, that's what." Here we see the evilness of Satan. Job is no doubt grieving over the loss of his dear children….and yet there will be more trouble….on the horizon. 6 God said, "All right. Go ahead—you can do what you like with him. But mind you, don't kill him." Again….within certain boundries….God even permits Satan to attack Job’s health. 7 Satan left God and struck Job with terrible sores. Job was ulcers and scabs from head to foot. Folks stop and think of what this poor man looked like. Please take note that Satan has the added power to bring on serious bodily illness. He must also be able to cause death or deaths, or God would not have instructed Satan to spare Job’s life. Beloved the power of Satan is real. Mark it down in your mind. 8 They itched and oozed so badly that he took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself, then went and sat on a trash heap, among the ashes. Here friends is one hurting man. See him in the most terrible sight and mind condition. As we began chapter ONE, Job was on top of the world, as we say. He had it all. Now he is ugly looking….sitting on a heap of trash. Talk about hitting bottom. Then to add to his misery, he has a great helpmate. Yea. 9 His wife said, "Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Curse God and be done with it!" Folks….I believe that Satan even can fuel ones mate to add to whatever is already a terrible affliction. Wives can do it to husbands, husbands can do it to wives, children to parents and yes, parents to children. We can all be tools in Satan’s hands and not even know it. What did Jesus say to Peter, when Peter tried to stop Jesus from going to the cross. GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN. Jesus loved Peter. Peter loved Jesus. Satan knew that and he tried to get Peter to confuse or hinder Jesus from God’s will. 10 He told her, "You're talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?" Not once through all this did Job sin. He said nothing against God. Friends….I have to add my two cents here. Good for Job. Unlike Adam, he didn’t bit the forbidden fruit from his wife…to curse God and die…as the KJV states it. He put her in her place and defended God. He’s my hero. Well Folks…we can’t take the time to expound the REST OF THE STORY, if you will, we’ll save that for another day. I have read the end of the book and Job comes out well. Read it for yourself. God had a lesson for him and Job learned it. My intent for all this today…..was for us to see, that God does permit storms and evil to strike a person, community, or nation…for a reason. I believe that God always has a godly purpose when this happens. Even though it appears terrible at the time, when that purpose is over, individuals or nations, have the opportunity to come out on top, if they will. I believe that when God allows such events to take place He desires to do, one of several things. First….It could be a time of TESTING. As God did with ABRAHAM and his son ISAAC. Would Abraham believe that God could bring his son back to life. Abraham passed with flying colors. Read about it in Genesis. I believe secondly….that God does it to PROVE a person or a nation trust in Him. I believe that is what we witnessed today as we reviewed this experience in Job’s life. Again….JOB got high marks for his faithfulness and integrity. God proved Job’s faith. Thirdly….I believe, God also allows, STORMS or ATTACKS, for CORRECTION in a persons life or a nations life, because they are heading in the wrong direction. Away from dependence upon God. God did this to the nation of Israel in the OT, when they had turned to false gods under the leadership of an evil king named Ahab and his evil pagan wife Jezebel. Under the leadership the whole nation turned from Jehovah and turned to worship in false temples of Baal. God allowed the whole nation….godly and ungodly people to suffer without rain for three and one half years. No rain no harvest. No harvest no bread. You can read about it in 1 Kings and 2 Kings of the OT. What was God purpose….to bring CORRECTION…and return His people back to Himself. That was accomplished when Elijah proved the false prophets totally without power. Fourthly, with regards to why God’s PERMISSIVE WILL, might allow Satan to move weather patterns and enemy terrorist to hit someone or a nation is PUNITIVE. In the NT (Acts)….. a man and wife died, because they lied about what they had given to God…from the sale of their house. In 1 Cor. 11…The Apostle Paul says….many believers sleep (had died) because they handled lightly the things of God. So you may be asking…..why Katrina….why so much damage and deaths. I hope and pray….that it is CORRECTIVE in the case of America. I hope and pray….that God is sounding the warning horn…..to draw us a nation back to Himself. I don’t give a hoot at what the liberal press and liberal institutes of higher learn try to jam down our throats about our Founding Fathers, America was founded on Godly principles. And we have generations of people now who have been diluted into thinking that we are strong because of ourselves. How foolish we have become. Well time and space tells me I must draw this to a close. I hope I have accomplished my goal of a least giving you something to think about, as each of you, work your way through dealing with the terrible things that have happened and are happening to our beloved country. My dear friend Arthur Dawes died a few days ago, due to serious cancer which hit him unexpectedly….and took his life….within a few months of his diagnosis. But as bad as that was….on the bright side….it got his attention about eternity and his need to open up his heart to Jesus Christ. What a praying wife could not do….what other ministers beside me could not do….cancer and approaching death did. It was within the PERMISSIVE WILL OF GOD….to bring on the STORM OF CANCER……but it was for a POSITIVE ETERNAL GOOD. Arthur repented and got right with God. May America do like wise. No one knows when the next storm or attack could hit or where they might hit. Two weeks ago you couldn’t touch some of those beautiful homes and real estate around the gulf for a millions of dollars. Today folks have left what is left of them….for a loaf of bread…and a bottle of water. Some have been given a "priority check" on the real important values of life. Many are homeless and hopeless. They all need our prayers. Could it be God’s way of WARNING this mighty country of OURS…..that…IT IS NOT OUR WEALTH, IT IS NOT OUR MILITARY FORCE, IT IS NOT OUR UNIVERSITIES OF HIGHER LEARNING….IT IS NOT EVEN OUR DEMOCRATED GOVERNMENT, THAT HAS BLESSED AND PROTECTED US, SINCE OUR BIRTH AS A NATION….IT HAS BEEN….ALMIGHTY GOD. CAN WE AS A NATION, NOT HEAR GOD SAYING TO US…..SEEK MY FACE AND TURN BACK TO ME AMERICA….I LOVE YOU…AND STILL WANT TO USE, YOU AROUND THE WORLD….BUT YOU HAVE TAKEN AND PROMOTED THROUGHOUT THE LAND UNGODLY ISSUES, THAT ARE LEADING YOU ASTRAY. BE LIKE THE PRODIGAL SON, AMERICA, COME TO YOUR SENSES, AND COME HOME TO ME. WILL WE AS A NATION….BE DISCIPLINED BY GOD? TIME WILL TELL. In closing dear friends…..this may not have provided all the answers you may be seeking…..but if you truly believe that God is always IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS….then we must seek in our hearts to find the answer….why did the Lord allow this devastation….on both the godly and the ungodly? I personally believe….it is a loving God……doing His best to get our attention as a nation……to really live up to the statement, we have printed on our national currency….. IN GOD WE TRUST. And to get us….to live like it. Let us pray. |
|
Send mail to
bobal27@fairpoint.net with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
