Psalm 133. The blessings of Unity.

 

Walking through the Book of Psalms.

 

For those that are still home, I would like to invite you on a walk through the Book of Psalms. A study of any portion of God’s Word is profitable, for, it is breathed upon by the Holy Spirit, and it is designed to communicate the love, and instructions of God to mankind.

 

Psalm 133. The blessings of Unity.

 

This is a psalm, poem or song about the family, and the unity of God’s people as a family.

The coming together of the scattered nation at the pilgrim feast would suggest the tropic of an idea. In this psalm, the psalmist extols the beauty and the loveliness of harmony among brothers and sisters.

The psalmist’s emphasis is upon the advantage of a close and compact settlement, the unity of common blood and tradition. Paul says in Romans 15:5 to be of “like mind.” For unity is a rare and blessed thing, nevermore so when it influences spreads to the whole of society.

We can learn a lot from this psalm. For Church history is littered with splits in groups of Christians, and even in our smallest communities we tend to allow natural quarrelsomeness to spill over even into Christian relationship.

 

1.    Verse one, Unity.

¹ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

 

The pilgrims return, scattered centuries after centuries. “It was good and pleasant.” To be reunited after the separation and depression of bondage. David writes as if all the tribes are bound together as one family in the unity of the national and religious life of Israel.

How happy is the heart, the home, the church, and the nation into which such unity comes and abides?

 

“Brethren.” Sons of a family are brothers and contributed to a happy home when they strive to live in unity. But here this speaks of a “spiritual brotherhood,” such a relationship comes because of regeneration when we are made children of God, and therefore, spiritual brothers and sisters.

Such a fellowship of believing hearts is so precious and sacred a bond that lack of harmony is a disgrace.

 

“Behold.” Is a warning, Satan is daily trying to destroy the unity of the home, church, and the world itself.

Not also “true unity” when seen is admired. It influences those that behold it.

 

“It is good.” Unity is always good in the work and influence of the church, and in the lives of its members. For united, we can stand against the dark forces of evil.

 

“It is pleasant.” Unity among the people of God is always an attractive, bound together by the same Lord, the same Spirit, and the same vision.

 

“Dwell together.” Means to live continually together in unity, having one heart, one soul, one passion, one vision. Such oneness gives strength and reward, not just outward uniformity, by regulations and rules, but an inherent substantial and spiritual vision, which promotes the glory and the Kingdom of God.

And represents a heart union of cheerful people ready to work together for one supreme purpose, all serving God with their own gift and personalities.

 

2.    Verse two, Unity in oil.

² It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.”

The psalmist illustrates the blessing of unity in two ways, oil, and dew.

First, it is like the special consecration oil of the High Priest. Oil has the general sufficient of joy, Psalm 23:5; Psalm 104:15, with the related ideas of fragrance, Psalm 1:3 and of comfort. Isaiah 1:6, but mainly the oil of priestly anointing was a sanctifying thing, Exodus 30:22-33.

The abundance of the anointing oil suggested how abundantly the Lord blesses and sanctifies His people through their fellowship. The oil of concentration symbolises the priest’s separation from all evils, for it was the oil of holiness. Brethren able to dwell together in unity are those who live the holy life of the Temple in the City of God.

Oil is also the chosen symbol of the Holy Spirit because it is only through His grace that it is possible to love. For the love of the brethren is the manifestation of the love of God to us. Is love wanting? Then seek a baptism of the Holy Spirit in your life.

 

3. Verse 3, Unity in the dew.

³ It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there, the LORD commanded the blessing-- Life forevermore.”

In the second place the psalmist likens unity to the refreshing dew, heavy as that on high Hermon mountain, and falling also in Zion.

The main idea of dew expresses divine refreshment. God’s gift of life and fruitfulness, Psalm 110:3, and fellowship is a miracle of divine grace, Ephesians 2:11-22, therefore individual blessings are shared with mutual profit. Such fellowship is something God delights to bless and is proof of the possession of life for evermore, 1 John 3:14.

Dew was the agent of renewal, of refreshment, and of fertilising the land.

Jesus drops the dew of the Holy Spirit as blessing upon the lowlands of our life, and that blessing is life for evermore.

 

Conclusion:

When brethren dwell in unity, communal brotherhood, kindness, there the Lord commands the blessing Leviticus 25:21.

Psalm 127. Wisdom for the Labourer.

 

Walking through the Book of Psalms.

 

For those that are still home, I would like to invite you on a walk through the Book of Psalms. A study of any portion of God’s Word is profitable, for, it is breathed upon by the Holy Spirit, and it is designed to communicate the love, and instructions of God to mankind.

 

Psalm 127. Wisdom for the Labourer.

 

The psalmist teaches that man is utterly dependent upon God. These verses are to be the activity of God in human experience. The psalmist can see that God is working in human affairs, and that he believed that only when man’s efforts are in harmony with the divine purpose can true success be achieved.

Human failure to recognise the divine basis of life, leads to vain, purposeless and ineffective lives, the psalm came to be associated with Solomon chiefly because the word “House” in verse one, which was taken to mean the Temple.

Solomon had in mind the capital city that he built when he came to the throne and obviously, he included the Temple.

And other buildings seen in 1 Kings Chapter 7. At that time, he was sincerely devoted to God, as his prayer in 1 Kings 8:20-21 shows, and he knew that God was with him in his work.

 

1.    Verse one.

¹ Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

The efforts of the builder, the watchmen, or any labourer will fail to achieve their purpose apart from the blessing of God seen in Psalm 33:16-17. This implies that man should undertake only that which is in harmony with the will of God. God the builder all creation, man, and the Church.

The psalmist is not saying that human beings are unable to design and create a building without help and guidance of God. Yet men “doing their own thing” today have left us with a lot of waste, disease, and death, etc. But without God’s help the whole project becomes an exercise in worthlessness. To have any lasting results, human labour must be instructed, guided, and inspired by the Spirit of God.

You cannot “do your own thing,” for we are in Christ. 90% of all man’s problems: drink, drugs, marriage, etc. are because God is left out of their plans, even among some believers. See it is “the Lord that will build His house.”

The psalmist says that without a spiritual foundation the house may eventually collapse and the whole enterprise end in nothing worthwhile. House, home, marriage often fail when we leave God out of our plans and building bricks. The whole structure of the home and marriage today is built on soft sand, because families leave God out of their plans.

The “watchmen of the city,” Where is our Security? The good job, a wage, the bank manager, etc.? Or the Lord? The watchmen by themselves are not enough, for only when man’s efforts are in harmony with the divine purpose come true success be achieved.

In 1953 W.E. Sangster titled a sermon “What would a religious revival do for Britain?” He then gave 10 points.

One. It would pay off all old debts.

Two. It would reduce sexual immorality.

Three. It would disinfect the theatre, the cinema, and the TV box.

Four. It would lessen and cut the divorce rate.

Five. It would reduce juvenile crime.

Six. It would lessen the prison population.

Seven. It would improve the quality and increase the output of work.

Eight. It would restore to the nation a high sense of destiny.

Nine. It would make us invincible in the war of ideas.

Ten. It would give happiness and peace to all the people.

 

Things may have moved on today, but revival changes a nation for the better. A revival leads eventually to a reformation of manners and that in the defence of society, the Church is just as important as the law courts of the land. More so when God moves again in the land. “But unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain.”

 

2.    Verse 2.

² It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.”

Hard work from early morning to late evening does not always achieve its good apart from the trust of the labourer in God. God’s blessings rests upon the person who labours in the land and so trust Him that he also rested Him. The psalmist gave no invitation to sloth or idleness but warns against worrying see Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-31; Mark 4:26-29.

The Bible never places any quality on idleness, all glorifies slackness or lack of effect seen in Psalm 128:2; Proverbs 24:30-34. Not to take work out of life, but only the worry. There is God’s part and man’s part. God helps those that help themselves, so goes.

Whether out labour be mental or physical it is easy to overdo it by working all the hours of the day and night, so that we wear ourselves out. Even Solomon eventually knew the benefits of relaxation

“He gives to His beloved sleep.” This makes good sense, instead of becoming so burdened that we suffer from a lack of sleep, let us look for a quiet confidence in God so that sleep refreshes us. If He is behind our building work, we can relax. For God goes on working on our behalf even why we must stop, shown that the work is ultimately His.

Are we building the house, a city, or a church? Or is God building it?

The “sleep” is the peace of God. The peace of God is the sleep of a good conscience, of contentment, of freedom, from anxiety. For the promise is that while we rest, God works on our behalf. For He gives us peace and strength in our sleep, the spiritual resources to cope with the problems we must face tomorrow.

 

Conclusion:

 

God is involved in human affairs and that our common ventures will succeed only when we bring our efforts into the harmony with His divine purpose. If we recovered that confidence and took it seriously into the building of our homes and into our families, and even into the defence of a community and the performances of our daily work.

We should surely discover the rich, purposeful, productive quality of life for which God in His love has created for us.

 

Psalm 100. Serve the Lord with gladness.

 

Psalm 100. Serve the Lord with gladness.

 

Introduction:

“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing” Psalm 100:2.

 

Psalm 100 issues 7 challenges to the heart of the redeemed. An invitation is extended for us to partake in joyful praise and service. The psalmist calls for positive service, regular service, continuous service, and all hearted service. Service motivated by glad, joyful hearts is what the world needs, that the church needs and what God wants, but it is something we can all render.

 

1.    “Serve the Lord with gladness.” For this is the natural and proper response of the redeemed.

 

A. For gratitude will produce joyful service.

 

B. Reason affirms that our service should be joyous.

 

One. God is our creator.

Two. God is our Redeemer.

Three. God protects us.

Four. God’s purpose for us our purposes of love.

Five. God has promised a home at the end of the way.

 

2.    “Serve the Lord with gladness.” In order to be saved from inward collapse and the pursuit of unworthy objectives.

 

A. It is easy to forget God.

B. People neglect God and misunderstand Him.

C. Worship and service are essential for happy living as food and rest are necessary for healthy living.

D. We are all busy, but what are we busy doing?

 

One of the greatest traditions of our age is that people are given first-rate loyalty the third-rate causes. Serious thought should be given to those things which have the top priority in both our interests and our investments.

Where do God’s will and God’s work figured into our plans? If we are not working for God in some way, we are giving yourself to something which is unworthy of our absolute best.

 

3.    “Serve the Lord with gladness.” In order to achieve and experience moral and spiritual fulfilment.

 

A. Deep within the human heart there is a hunger for fulfilment and achievement.

B. There are many ways in which we seek for this happiness.

One. Some ways are deceptive, and some ways are destructive.

A. Some search for the highest good in the realm of material things.

B. Some seek happiness in sensual pleasures.

C. There are several other pathways.

 

Two. We should always seek constructive opportunities.

A. In a deep commitment to the Lord and a life of unselfish service motivated by His love are the most satisfying achievements one can experience in life.

 

4.    Our service must be joyful if we are to be true representations of Christ.

 

A.   Jesus’ beautiful personality served as a magnetic power, drawing multitudes to hear His message.

B.   Only as our life is characterised by goodness and joy can we hope to attract others to the Christian way of life.

“These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, ant that your joy might be full” John 15:11.

 

5. “Serve the Lord with gladness.”

 

A. Because God loves you.

B. Because God can give you victory in life.

C. Because God can use you to bless others if you are willing and available.

D. Because your life can take on new beauty and new meaning if you respond to God’s purpose for your life with gladness and joy.

 

Conclusion:

 

If you are not serving God, He will not force His grace and mercy upon you.

Psalm 96. Show forth His Salvation.

 

Psalm 96. Show forth His Salvation.

 

Introduction:

“Sing unto the Lord, bless His name, show forth His Salvation from day to day” Psalm 96:2.

 

Many Christians believe that the missionary vision of faith is based on the Great Commission alone. But a serious study of the Old Testament will reveal that God always intended that His people should be an evangelistic and missionary force through whom He could revealed His grace and mercy.

His power and purpose, His holiness and righteousness. And His love and Salvation to a needy people.

The Commission of the Lord can be heard faintly in this psalm, for the psalmist calls attention to Israel’s missionary charter. This great coronation theme falls into four areas or stanza (a verse of poetry).

 

1. The first area (verse) invites Israel to assume her high vocation as the Lord’s evangelist.

2. The second area (verse) sets God high above all idols, the nothings, which were worshipped by the Pagan nations of the earth.

3. The third area (verse) invites the people of all nations to enter the temple gates to worship and to honour and to bless the name of the Lord on an equal basis with the Jewish people.

4. The 4th and final area (verse) calls upon nature in all its heights and depths and lengths and breaths to praise the Lord for His greatness and His goodness.

 

The text, verse two describes our mission. “We are to show forth His Salvation.” The method of doing this is disclosed, a demonstration is called for in the words, “show forth His Salvation from day today.” The message of ancient Israel and of the modern church is disclosed in the words, “show forth His Salvation.”

 

1.    Our mission is defined, “show forth His Salvation.”

 

We need to have in our lives an anthem of praise to the Lord. By this anthem of praise, we are to communicate to the unsaved about us the wonders of God’s grace towards all people. From the very beginning our faith has been a missionary faith, and God has been seeking to reach more and more people with the message of His redeeming love.

 

A. God’s great missionary purpose began with Abraham.

B. God’s all-inclusive redemptive purpose is disclosed in His command to Jonah to go to the wicked city of Nineveh.

C. Today, those who are in the church occupy the position of privilege and responsibility which was once enjoyed by Israel.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” 1 Peter 2:9-10.

 

2.    Our method is described, “show forth His Salvation from day to day.”

 

A.   We are to show for His Salvation by what we are.

One picture is worth 1,000 words. We ought to be a living demonstration of the difference which Christ can make. We are to be exhibits of His gracious love. We can be samples of His transforming power.

A pastor visited an unsaved husband in the home with the claims of Christ were brought to bear upon his heart. The man was open, appreciative, and responsive. After some discussions, the two knelt in prayer and the unsaved husband trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

After a time of rejoicing with husband and wife, the pastor departed later telling a close friend, “You could tell by the way that man talked that he had faith in his wife’s religion. I can always tell after talking to a husband for 10 minutes how his wife lives out her faith before him.

The pastor did not convince the man that he should trust Jesus Christ as his own saviour. The wife’s daily life had already accomplished this task. The pastors were able to lead him to a decision because of his wife faith. Some pastor’s work is easy in the leading of souls to Christ, when good Christians live alongside of them. Other Christians often harden the hearts of the unsaved, because of un-Christlike lives lived before the unsaved.

 

B.   We are to show forth His Salvation by what we believe.

 

What a person believes affects his/her behaviour. We need a great faith in the love of God, but we also need to believe in the wrath of God. It is good to believe that there is a heaven, but we must also believe that there is a hell. Only as we believe in our divine origin and our divine destiny by God’s grace will we live the life of faith and of service.

 

C. We must show forth His Salvation by what we do.

 

Our task is that of reproducing the Master. Here is a hymn:

 

Christ has no hands, but our hands to do His work today,

He has no feet but our feet, to lead men in His way,

He has no tongue but our tongues, to tell men how He died,

He has no help but our help, to bring them to His side,

 

We are the only Bible, the careless world will read,

we are the sinner’s gospel, we are the scoffer’s creed,

we are the Lord’s last message, given in deed and word,

what is the life is crooked? What is the type is blurred?

 

What if our hands are busy, with other work than His?

What if our feet were walking, where sin’s allurement is?

What if our tongues are speaking, of things His lips would scorn?

How can we hope to help Him, and hasten His return?

 

Written by Annie Johnson Flint.

 

3.    Our message is disclosed, “show forth His Salvation.”

 

A. we must introduce God to a lost, needy world. He is the living, personal, holy, saving, redeeming God. The world needs to know the wonders of His grace and wisdom, peace and power, joy, and victory.

 

B. We must interpret men to our world. He is the crowning climax of God’s creative activity. While men were made in the image and likeness of God, by his sin he has brought upon himself self-destruction. The wonder of it all is that despite his rebellious rebellion and wickedness he is the object of God’s redeeming love.

 

Conclusion:

 

With the language of both our life and our lips we are to bear a personal testimony to the world around us concerning the gracious God who has revealed Himself as indescribable love in Jesus Christ.

Our mission is glorious!

The method is simple!

The message is for all!

May God help you today do respond according to the deepest longings of your heart, the higher thought of you mind, under leading up God’s Holy Spirit.

Psalm 95. A call to worship God.

 

Psalm 95. A call to worship God.

 

Introduction:

“O come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our maker” Psalm 95:6.

 

To be part of a winning team, a good football coach will put his players through certain physical exercises or disciplines that are necessary if they would develop the skills and physical stamina that will make it possible for them to be a winning team.

 

In the realm of the spirit there are certain indispensable disciplines that the individual must subject himself or herself to do if he or she would truly be all that God intends. The words of our text detail one of those disciplines that is necessary if we are to experience the abundant life that Jesus Christ came into the world to give (John 10:10).

The invitation to worship that the psalmist extends is both present and everlasting in its application. To worship is to ascribe praise and honour and glory and proper recognition to God. It is to revere and honoured Him with a heart and with the soul.

Proper and genuine worship is a dramatic, transforming experience both for the individual worshipper and for the congregation as they worship together in spirit and in truth. Worship is a personal encounter with God as He reveals Himself to us through the scriptures, through song, through the sermon and through the praises of God’s people. We need to recognise and respond to this gracious invitation of the psalmist.

 

1.    The call to worship is a call to recognise and respond to the very presence of God.

 

A. This is a call to a conscious awareness of the presence of God.

B. This is a call to awe and adoration of the living God.

C. This is a call to truly become acquainted with the living God.

 

2.    The call to worship is a call to recognise and respond to the person of God.

 

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is personal, and we are to respond to Him personally. This living God is described in these first six verses of Psalm 95.

 

A.   He is the rock of our Salvation in verse 1.

B.   He is the Lord a great God in verse 3A.

C.   This great God is a “great King above all gods” in verse 3B.

D.   This God is in control of the heights and the depths of the earth, in verse 4.

E.   This God owns both the sea on the dry land because He is the creator of both, in verse 6.

F.    This great God is also our Maker, in verse 6

G.   This great and good God is personal, and He is worthy of our awe and reverence, respect, and adoration.

 

3.    The call to worship is a call to recognise and receive the presence of this personal God.

 

When God comes to meet with us, He comes to reveal Himself to us and to give Himself to us.

 

A.   God reveals Himself in ways that meets the deepest needs of the genuine worshipper.

B.   The worshipper learns something about himself or herself when he or she truly worships, he or she discovers that he or she is something more than just a lost orphan in an empty world, he or she discovers that God loves him or her and that God is there for them.

C.   The worshipper learns something also about others when he or she worships.

Worship is not just an experience in which a person spends some time in meditation. Genuine worship gives a vision of God, vision of self and vision for others.

D.   The true worshipper also knows (learns) something about the resources of God that are available for life. God does not come to depress us or to defeat us. He comes to impart His gifts to us.

 

Conclusion:

 

To “worship” means the recognition of one who is of supreme worth. God is revealed Himself and His purposes for us in Jesus Christ. We can trust the God who loves us so much, He was willing to give up His son for us (Romans 8:32). “He did not withhold or spare (even) His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all (other) things?”

 

Psalm 91. The Lord, my Refuge.

 

Psalm 91. The Lord, my Refuge.

 

Introduction

 

There are few psalms among the book of psalms that paints such a delightful picture of trust and confidence in God as Psalm 91. It has been used in times of trouble and distress throughout all generations. It is a cheerful song of faith in God and appropriate whatever the circumstances.

Through the psalm carries no title or mention of its author, Hebrew tradition ascribed it to Moses, based principally on the many close resemblances between it and Deuteronomy 32 and 33.

 

The theme of Psalm 91 is the security of the person who thoroughly trusts in God, there is an antiphonal (a verse of a psalm sung by part of a choir in response to one sung by the other part) arrangement in the psalm, in which the first speaker delivered verses 1 to 2; the second speaker verses 3 to 4; then the first speaker again responding with verses 5 to 8 and the second with verses 9 to 13.

A third speaker, making himself the mouthpiece of Jehovah, brings the song to a conclusion by stating the blessings that God Himself will bestow on His faithful ones (verses 14 to 16). We might imagine 3 great choirs in the temple singing this song in an antiphonal arrangement.

 

1.    A summary of the theme, verses 1 to 2.

 

A. To “dwell in the secret place of the most High,” says verse 1. Is to have the Almighty for one’s constant companion. “The Shadow of the Almighty” to the student meant the presence of God in the Holiest of Holies and he enters there victoriously (sharing imaginatively feelings or is activities) in the person of the High priest on the Day of Atonement.

Today because of the work of Christ on the cross, all believers can come boldly to the throne of grace and thus rest beneath the shadow of the Almighty.

 

B. The psalmist rejoices in God as his “refuge and my fortress” in verse 2, the place of security and protection from whence we successfully fight the spiritual warfare. The result of this awareness is an open confession, “I will say of the Lord,” in which the psalmist delights.

 

2.    Deliverance from evils, versus 3 to 8.

 

A. The second speaker addresses the first and says, in effect, “Yes, certainly God will deliver you from whatever dangers besets you. Let me name a few of them for you.” And then he proceeds to do so.

1. “The snare of the fowler” verse 3. Like, a bird, the soul of man is exposed to many dangers, including those that are hidden such as the snares of the bird-hunter (the fowler). It is a hidden peril from which only God can deliver us.

2. “The noisome and pestilence” verse 3. Leprosy was no doubt the most feared pestilence among the Hebrews, for it suggested to them the curse attached to some form of sin which had greatly displeased God.

3. “The terror by night” verse 5. Robbers constituted the chief night-time menace.

4. “The arrow that flies by day” verse fire. Probably referred to open warfare.

5. “The destruction that wakes at noonday” verse 6. May have referred to sunstroke. See Psalm 121:6 “The sun shall not smite you by day.”

 

B. Verse 8 declares that without suffering himself, the believer will look on and see the punishment of the ungodly. This was true of many of the plagues of Egypt, during which time the Hebrews witnessed the destruction that befell the Egyptians.

 

3.    Security for those who trust in the Lord, verses 9 to 13.

 

A. In verses 9 to 10, the second speaker addresses the first with the reaffirmation of what the first speaker had said. He adds in verse 11 that the faithful are under the constant care of Angels, see Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits send forth to minister for those who will inherit Salvation? Who guide and direct them?

 

B. There is much a mystery concerning Angels and perhaps their visuality is limited because we would tend to worship them, as John did on the Isle of Patmos. The suggestions are strong, however, that God assigns them to protect His children.

 

4.    God’s promise to those who will trust Him. versus 14 to 16.

 

A.   In these last three verses, Jehovah Himself becomes the speaker. It is not enough that the faithful should encourage one another by their eager expectation of God’s blessing and miracles, but God Himself now speaks by the mouth of His prophet and makes promises directly.

 

B.   Verse 15 is a marvellous prayer promise, like many in the New Testament.

 

Conclusion:

 

All in all, Psalm 91 is a source of constant comfort for God’s people, especially when they are called on to suffer or to wage warfare for that which is right.

 

Psalm 46. Where was God?

 

Psalm 46. Where was God?

 

Psalm 46. Tries to answer the question: Where was God in my crisis?

Some events in human history impact us so deeply that we will forever have them engraved in our minds where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news. (Example: Space Shuttle Challenger, John F. Kennedy assassination, 9/11, Gunmen in schools, 2020 etc.). Where were you?  

More so, “Where is God?” so many cries out today, in this virus!

 

1.    Where was God?

 

The same place He was when Adam rebelled in Eden – He was ever present and waiting to cover his sin. (Genesis 3).

Where was God when man first raised his ugly head of defiance and rebellion? Was He present? He could have stopped it before it began. It is not a matter of whether He could have. It is a matter of His design for humanity and His plan of redemption. He designed us with a freedom of choice.

In His sovereign foreknowledge He made provision before the world was ever created for man’s redemption; knowing full well that man would make disastrous choices from the beginning. When Adam and Eve finally “messed-up”, He was there with a covering for their nakedness and shame; demanding the ultimate punishment on an innocent victim to cover man’s sin. But He was there!

2.    Where was God?

 

The same place He was when Noah built an ark – ever present and protecting him from disaster. (Genesis 6-9).

Sadly, man’s rebellion did not end with Adam and Eve. Sin brought a curse to the earth and bad things happen, not because of God, but because of man's sin against God! Adam's sons and their son’s sons for every generation followed in their rebellious path. Until such time that the wickedness of man filled the whole earth and its stench rose as an offence to the Holiness of God.

Yet in the midst of such ungodliness, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” Genesis 6:8. Here was a man, not a perfect man, but a righteous man, who faithfully proclaimed the righteousness of God. (2 Peter 2) And when God, grieved by man’s wicked rebellion, determined to wipe man from the face of the earth, He furthermore determined to spare Noah and his family.

So that mankind could have a new start and a second chance to live a righteous life before his Creator. So, in mankind’s greatest disaster (the entire world was drowned), God was on His throne protecting His own.

3.    Where was God?

 

The same place He was when Job lost his children and everything he had – presented and proving Himself to be God despite unfortunate circumstances. (Job 1-2). Just as Noah’s generation experienced earth’s greatest natural disaster, Job would surely rank among the top in man’s history as experiencing the greatest personal disaster.

Again, we see a man, a good man; a godly man standing for what is right and hating what is wrong. Did being “blameless and upright” protect Job from problems, or even disaster? Of course not! Job lived on a planet that at times experienced natural disasters such as tornados, earthquakes, and fire.

There were evil men in his day, too, who were willing to kill and steal to get what they wanted. And, he became the special target of the devil’s fury, and remember that Satan is the Destroyer who seeks to kill above all else, not discerning between the innocent little children and the guilty man whose heart the devil likely possessed.  

God does not cause such tragedies, but sometimes removes His restraining hand and allows mankind to see how we react without God. Do we blame God for what we are going through? Or do we reach out to God for His protection?

Job lost everything of value, even his precious children. Where was God? Had He turned His back on Job? Would Job return the favour by turning his back on God? No! God had not deserted Job. And Job would not curse God, even though he was urged to do so. 

Where was God when Job was losing all? Where was He when Job’s children were killed? Where was He when Job’s flesh was wracked with pain? Job maintained his integrity and recognized that it was God’s sovereign right to give and take away, and it was his duty to “Bless the name of the Lord.”  And in the end God was there giving him double of all he had lost!

 

In all these examples, todays tragedies, and even in your need right now. Where is God?
Of course, He knows!

Of course, He could have prevented it!

Of course, He could have stopped it!

Of course, He is not helpless!

Of course, He is aware of your need!

Of course, He cares!

God knew it would happen, God could have stopped it, yet God will see you through it. 2020 could be the greatest turning to God that this world has ever seen! When men and women in their 1,000’s are calling out to God.