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16 Aug:
When Is A Disaster NOT A Disaster?
John 11:4 “But when Jesus heard (that Lazarus was sick), He said, ‘This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.’”
Last week I looked at three scriptures that I thought were extremely important to our Christian walk. The first passage was John 3:16 regarding how much God loves us and desires to have us as His children. The second passage was John 14:15 which tells us that if we love Him – we will keep His commandments. Our willingness to do so is because it is only through Christ, which John 3:16 alludes to, that we can find salvation. But God’s blessings through Christ comes not only in the form of eternal salvation but also through blessings in this life. That is what Rom 8:28 tells us. We see in Scripture time and again how God turns what appears to be a disaster into blessings and if God has worked this way in times past, we must be willing to trust Him to continue to do so today, in OUR lives.
To continue on with this discussion we should look at the story given us in John 9:
John 9:1-3 “As Jesus was traveling He was passing a man blind from birth and His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’ ”.
Jesus shifted the focus from whose fault it was to what purpose it served. The conviction that God can use our suffering for His glory should give us a new found source of strength to sustain us in our struggles. Remember Nebuchadnezzar’s response to Shadrach’s deliverance. He decreed that none should speak ill of Shadrach’s God. Remember Jesus’ story? Flogged, crucified, died and buried. What was God’s purpose in His only Son’s death? John 3:16 tells us. It was to bring salvation to all those who would believe. Consider also John 11:
John 11:4 “But when Jesus heard (that Lazarus was sick), He said, ‘This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.’”
In other words, sometimes things happen so that God can work in our lives and bring an awareness of His existence and His glory into the lives of those around us.
Also consider what we read in 2 Cor 1:3,4,6 “Blessed be the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. . . . If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation… when others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort that God has given to us”. We sometimes find ourselves in difficult situations and as God brings us through them, we are then able to help others in similar difficulties.
An additional factor to consider is the fact that there will always be wicked people in the world who cause suffering for others. Because of this perpetual reality, God ordained civil government with the mission to be “an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil” (Romans 13:4). Unfortunately though, history shows us that it is sometimes the government that is the evil force behind persecution (Revelation 17:5-6). In fact, the example that Jesus used first was of the evil actions of Pilate, a Roman governor. Sometimes tragedies happen because evil people seek to do harm to innocent victims.
Also consider the words and warning Jesus gives us: John 15:18-20 “18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also.
This was the primary reason for the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. God was not using these men to execute judgment against the United States for various sins. Rather, there was a group of evil men who carried out a planned attack that killed thousands of people. To paraphrase Jesus’ words: Do you suppose that those three thousand on whom the twin towers fell were worse culprits than others? I tell you, no. Those people did not die in those attacks as a punishment for some sin, but they died as victims of the actions of evil men. (Reference Luke 13:1,2)
Matters of Happenstance – Another reason why people fall victim to various disasters is simply the matter of time and chance. The wise man wrote, “I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
Not everything that happens does so because God wills it. We see that in the story of Job. Satan is the one constructing the events that occur. We are also told in Ephesians that we should put on the full armor of God so that we will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Paul continues on to tell us that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against the rulers of the darkness of this world. And who do you think is the one behind the persecutions which we encounter?
What is important in our lives is how we react to the events which occur. Rom 5:3-5 “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
We must not jump to the conclusion that God somehow caused these things to happen in order to teach us a lesson (though there are some lessons in these events). Instead, we must acknowledge the reality that sometimes tragedies occur because of a variety of reasons.
What These Events Teach Us
Even if these events are caused by something other than God’s direct action, there are still some important lessons for us to learn from them:
Life Is Uncertain – James reminded his readers of the uncertainty of life: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:13-14). Therefore, since life is uncertain, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).
Obedience to God Is a Priority – Jesus used the examples of the deaths of the Galileans at the hands of Pilate and the victims of the collapse of the tower in Siloam to emphasize the importance of repentance: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). Repentance means we turn from disobedience to obedience. A lot of people today try to downplay the importance of obedience. Yet the Bible teaches that obedience is not an option. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). The Hebrew writer points out that Jesus is “to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
God Will Ultimately Judge Us – When Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5), He implied that all unrepentant sinners will suffer the same ultimate fate (cf. Romans 6:23). It does not matter if one dies in a tower collapse or dies of old age. If he refuses to meet God’s conditions for forgiveness, he will be lost. Therefore, we must prepare now for the divine judgment that will happen in the last day. Paul wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Conclusion
When disaster strikes, rather than speculate about God’s involvement, let us learn the lessons that we can take from these tragedies. Life is short and we must always be prepared to meet the Lord in judgment. Therefore, let us serve Him in faithful obedience. Then, regardless of when or how we might pass from this life, we can look forward to the eternal reward in heaven
9 Aug: Nina’s Favorite Scripture:
Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
This was Nina’s favorite passage and over the years you have heard me reference this passage many, many, many times as well. This verse along with passages like Rom 5:9 are the foundational teachings of Christianity. Rom 5:9 “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!”
Christ came to this earth, lived a sinless life and then was put to death in order to take our sins away. If you remember last week’s lesson, we have been given Christ’s righteousness through our faith. We have been baptized to remove our sins, and we are then to love, honor and obey Christ: Jesus Himself tells us: John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
The question that may arise in someone’s mind is to ask why do we want to align ourselves with Christ? Why do we want to become obedient to Christ’s will? Well Paul does a pretty good job of answering that question: 2 Tim 4:7,8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
If we too, can live our lives taking up our cross and following after Jesus as best we can, then we too can echo Paul’s assurance and know there is a home in heaven waiting for us. But our eternal reward is not the only motivation for following after Christ. John 10:9,10 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
These are passages where Jesus Himself gives us assurances of where He will be with us throughout our lives. These are the verses which serve as the source behind the truth given to us in the poem: ‘Footprints in the Sand.’
A person might ask what the value is in having Christ with us and how might we find that abundant life which He promised. I believe that answer is in our opening verse: Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
In light of our discussion, you should notice right off that this verse is telling us that God is with us. Like the ‘Footprints’ poem, He is with us carrying us and working things our FOR us! Consider the story of Joseph, Jacob’s 2nd youngest child.
Out of jealousy Joseph’s brothers first desire to kill him but Reuben diverts his death to captivity in slavery. Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold there as a slave and to fast forward through many events Joseph becomes the second most powerful person in Egypt. In these circumstances Joseph is able to save his family from the world famine that was going on. And what does Joseph say about all the things that happened to him: Gen 50:19,20 “But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”
In order for Joseph to save his family he had to endure much suffering to reach the position he needed to be in. This was God working out salvation not just for Joseph but also for the patriarch Jacob and his family.
Another situation that many of you may be familiar with is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego: Daniel 3: Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold and called together all of his government officials. He stood them before the image and announced that all who heard the music played must bow and worship. To refuse to do so would result in being thrown into a furnace. When these three men refused to do so Nebuchadnezzar declared: “If you do not worship you will be cast into a furnace blazing with fire – and what god is there who can deliver you of my hands?’
As you may remember, these men do not bow and are thrown into the furnace, stoked up 7 times hotter than normal and when the King looks into the furnace he sees four individuals. He calls for the men to come out and when they do – there is no evidence that they were ever in the furnace. Nebuchadnezzar’s response: “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshack and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against their God shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other God who is able to deliver in this way. Then the King caused these men to prosper in the province of Babylon.”
Shadrach’s threat of being thrown into the furnace and being burned to a crisp looks to be a horrible way to die. But His faith not just in God’s deliverance but his willingness to go all the way to death resulted in two significant conclusions. 1) God’s name was given glory, honor and recognition throughout the whole realm of Babylonia. 2) All three men then began to be supported and blessed by the King.
These blessings which the men received reminds me of another instance of blessings from God: Job 42:10-12 “The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold. Then all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before came to him, and they ate with him and consoled him and comforted him for all the adversities that the Lord had brought on him. And each one gave him one piece of money, and each a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.”
We all know the beginning of this story as to how the devil comes to God and gets permission to do harm to Job. And during this long-time frame of suffering Job holds back from cursing God and dying as was suggested to him by his wife. Job had no way of knowing who and why those misfortunes fell on his neck – but as James suggests with regard to our ‘persevering’ – doing so results in God bringing about good to (Job) those who are faithful – just as our passage in Romans promises.
When you look throughout the Old Testament you see God time and again causing suffering to come to Israel because of their disobedience and then He restores them and blesses them for the time of that generation as they worship faithfully. The generation of Israel who are slaves in Egypt when Moses comes and delivers them are the most obvious example of God hearing and responding to and for the people.
These may seem like isolated and unique situations, but they are not. These are recorded examples of Romans 8:28 playing itself out. Consider: Jeremiah 29:10,11 “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity – to give you a future and a hope.’” What does 1 Cor 10:11 say: “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction”.
Now consider one last situation: Jesus speaks these words in His ‘priestly prayer’, as it is referred to in John 17:4,5 “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”
And just before Jesus ascends to heaven: Matth 28:16-18 “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worship him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Just like the earlier examples which we looked at – Jesus suffered according to God’s will or plan but in doing so Jesus receives the ultimate reward of ascending, sitting at God’s right hand, and being given all authority over heaven and earth.
We need to know and believe that our cross and our following the Lord may very well cause our lives to suffer. We need to understand that living in this broken world which does not recognize nor honor our heavenly Father is going to cause negative situations to occur in our lives but like Job and the Lord, we need to persevere and trust God’s good will to return to our lives - either in this world or the next.