No Answers!

[nathanb]

Notes:

Just before Christmas 2003, Lydia came home from work to the sight of flames shooting out of her house. She was devastated by more than the loss of her home--- seven of her family. When news about the tragedy spread that morning, a dear friend rushed to comfort her. Lydia had some deep question for him, but he had no answers.

Lydia could relate to Job's story. He lost ALL 10 of his children (Job 1:18-19), yet he continued to worship God (V.21). Then his health was affected, and his wife urged him to curse God and die (2:9). Job's friends thought they had the answere--- he must have sinned and deserved his troubles.

~~ Job complained "bitterly" to the Lord and pleaded for an explanation and relief, but God didn't give him any answers. God didn't even tell him about Satan's request to test him (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6). Instead God reminded Job that He was all-wise God and that God was NOT! Job was humbled, and he repented for having questioned God's authority. (Job 42:1-6)

So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had 14,000 sheep, and 6,000 camels, 1000 yoke of oxen, and 1000 donkeys. He had also seven sons! and 3 daughters. And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job.

After this Job lived 140 yrs, and saw his sons, and his sons' son even four generation so he died, being old and full of days. (Job 42:12-17)

~~~~ Remember: This side of heaven, we may NOT find answer for our desperate questions of "Why did this happen?" and "Why me?" But we can rest in the truth that God is in control and that He loves us.

~~~ God does NOT have to answer our questions, but He will ALWAYS! keep His promises to STAND by us and see us through the experiences.

[nathanb]

Just Temporary Tears:

(I Peter 5:10) May the God of all grace... after you have suffered awhile, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

While we wait for that comfort, we can be assured that God will NOT allow us to be TESTED! beyond our ability to bear the trial. Every difficult circumstance is time with EXACT precision. Every hard situation is screened through His perfect LOVE. We will NOT suffer one moment more, nor will we suffer more intensely than is neccessary.

~~~ God will NOT allow those most vulnerable to life's difficulties to be overtaken by them.

There may be deep waters through which you must wade; must pass. But in the midst of them God promises to be your partner, companion, and a faithful friend. He will "Perfect, establish, strenghthen, and settle you" (I Peter 5:10)

And then, when God has finished His work, He will take you home to heaven and wipe away all your tears.

~~~ Remember: Our tears, sadness, trials, sufferings are often the telescope by which we can see into heaven.

[nathanb]

To be like Jesus:

Someone once spoke. God is NOT interested in just saving us from HELL and taking us to Heaven! He wants to conform us "To the image of His Son Jesus" (Romans 8:29).

When Jesus returns, "We shall be like Him" (I John 3:2), but the process of becoming like Him begin HERE! and NOW! on the earth. How does that happen? It is explained by the "ALL things" of "ALL things work together for good to those who loved God" (Romans 8:28).

This includes testings, the trials, chastening, and purifications, denials, and suffering. To become like Jesus, we MUST follow Him, and that is the path of sacrifice and trial (Heb. 2:10).

We must be willing to endure suffering and Rejection by those who reject Him (John 15:18-21). And if we ENDURE, we shall also reign with Him (II Timothy 2:12).

~~~ God use ALL THINGS! to make us like Jesus. The road to Christlikeness will take us through the valley of Suffering.

[nancye]

Nathan wrote: ~~~" God does NOT have to answer our questions, but He will ALWAYS! keep His promises to STAND by us and see us through the experiences."~~~

I sincerely agree.
nancy