I'm sure by now everyone has heard about the earthquakes in Colorado on Monday and the one on the east coast yesterday. These aren't the first that have taken place this year, but as they continue, and in places that don't normally experience earthquakes, it causes one to think...
This morning as I was listening to AFR Talk, the host of the show referred to "sermon 129" by Charles Wesley (link below if you care to check it out in its entireity).
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/129/One of the passages used there is from Job 9. This was after Job has suffered the great loss of his family, servants, livestock and possessions. It is his response to one of his "friends". Let me use a couple of portions of chapter 9 to bring out the focus of today's devotion.
Job 9
New Living Translation (NLT)
1 Then Job spoke again:
2 "Yes, I know all this is true in principle.
But how can a person be declared innocent in God's sight?
3 If someone wanted to take God to court,[a]
would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?
4 For God is so wise and so mighty.
Who has ever challenged him successfully?
5 "Without warning, he moves the mountains,
overturning them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place,
and its foundations tremble.
A few verses later, Job says:
11 "Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him.
When he moves by, I do not see him go.
12 If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him?
Who dares to ask, 'What are you doing?'
13 And God does not restrain his anger.
Even the monsters of the sea
are crushed beneath his feet.
14 "So who am I, that I should try to answer God
or even reason with him?
15 Even if I were right, I would have no defense.
I could only plead for mercy.
16 And even if I summoned him and he responded,
I'm not sure he would listen to me.
It's sounding pretty bleak by now, but just wait.
21 "I am innocent,
but it makes no difference to me—
I despise my life.
22 Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God.
That's why I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.'
Dang, Job... It gets better...
32 "God is not a mortal like me,
so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
33 If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
34 The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35 Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength.
Man, when I read this, the words that hit me like a ton of bricks were "If only there were a mediator between us..." Folks, I'm fighting back tears of joy as I copy and paste these next verses...
1 Timothy 2:5-6
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
Guys (and girls), troubles will come our way, guaranteed. Jesus assured his disciples of this, his very elect followers:
John 16:33
New Living Translation (NLT)
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
Whether your trials and sorrows come from earthquakes, tornadoes, lost jobs, relational difficulties, financial difficulties or anything a man or woman can suffer on this earth, be assured that you have a mediator in Christ Jesus. He is moved by your frustrations and pains. He was given to us to "reconcile" us to God. (to restore to friendship or harmony, as Webster would define)
While in a boat on angry waves, the disciples asked Jesus to spare their lives. Jesus spoke to the waters saying "peace, be still". As the waves of life rise and fall, seemingly threatening our very existence (and at least our sanity), call on Jesus, He is waiting to hear from you.
One last verse in closing:
I Peter 5:7 NLT
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Have a blessed day!
