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December 30, 2007
How long oh Lord?
Genesis 41: 1And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed......
My question is why 2 more years? Why does God allow the rottenness of life to go on, seemingly unchecked?
How long oh Lord?
Life often confronts us with tragic situations that make us wonder about God's willingness or ability to help us. Why would a good God allow such things to happen? Doesn't He care?
First we will look in the word and see many who ask the question, “Lord? How Long? How can we feel that you love us when evil seemingly goes unnoticed in our lives?”
Then we will see if there are any answers and see if God says “Just Long Enough.”
Habakkuk 1: 1-4 Israel being judged by another nation. Habakkuk cries out to God “ O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! [even] cry out unto thee [of] violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause [me] to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence [are] before me: and there are [that] raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceeds.”
He asks HOW LONG LORD.
David said in Psalm 13: 1-4 ¦ How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [having] sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider [and] hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the [sleep of] death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; [and] those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
Psalm 94:1 ¦ O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs; O God, to whom vengeance belongs, show thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long] shall they utter [and] speak hard things? [and] all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard [it].
Rev 6:9-11 ¦ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.
So we hear the question HOW LONG O LORD
Have you asked yourself that? Have you wondered why evil is allowed to exist on this earth? Have you wondered how God could allow it to go on? Me too and so have these people.
Many times I have thought that God shouldn't love ME because I have been to bad. So what gives? What is God up to anyway?
And in the same passages we find some answers, but some we will not know until the trumpet sounds, the last gun is fired. When God says “The iniquity cup is full, its judgment time.”
And the answer to HOW LONG? Becomes Just long enough.
In Psalm 13: the Answer to David's question is found in his trust, listen:.
5 -6 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
I don't see the light yet Lord, but I do know that you are not the author of evil and you really have a better plan.
Can you imagine being in the shoes of Job? Or worse in his bare feet? As he sat in an ash heap, dirty, covered with boils, having lost all he had, even his children. Having his faith ripped wide open because of the seeming injustice of life?
Can you imagine that God, the wise and good God, would allow that? I must be honest, humanly speaking I have a problem with that book.
Humanly speaking I see a great deal to bother me in God allowing that. It seems, at first glance, to depict a capricious God. It seems to show us a God who treats us like Laboratory rats for his purposes.
Do you know what Job said DURING this horrible testing, a testing due to his goodness not a punishment for his badness?
Then After Eliaphaz tells him once more what a sinner he is, Job answers: .Job 23:1-10 Then Job answered and said, Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat! I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]: HERE IT COMES! v.10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, an not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his m %outh more than my necessary [food].
I don't know what God is up to, I didn't deserve this really, but I KNOW it is for my refinement and I will stick to God and His better plan like glue.
Do you know what God said about all of Job's struggles in the final analysis? Listen: Chapter 38:-14 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who [is] this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where were thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or [who] shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, [as if] it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it, And brake up for it my decreed [place], and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud wavs be stayed? Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; [and] caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay [to] the seal; and they stand as a garment. And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
Then He goes over verse after verse declaring the mighty wonders of creation and asks Job where he was during all this...Then in Chapter 39 Job makes a brief answer and God again replies:
1-14 ¦ Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, Shall he that contends with the Almighty instruct [him]? he that reproves God, let him answer it. Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou may be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him ? Deck thyself now [with] majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one [that is] proud, and abase him. Look on every one [that is] proud, [and] bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together; [and] bind their faces in secret. Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
Do you think that faced with the mighty holiness and power and authority of God Job honestly could frame an answer? Job, he says, do you really claim to have more knowledge and wisdom than I have? Do you really think that I do things for no reason? Do you pit your puny sense of personal justice against the total holiness and righteousness of JHVH?
Then God goes on with the incredible glories of creation and holiness that describe him and finally Job answers:
40:1-6 ¦ Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every [thing], and [that] no thought can be withholden from thee. Who [is] he that hides counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor [myself], and repent in dust and ashes.
Job is beginning to understand the flaming fiery perfectly righteous God with whom he has to deal.
Lets go back now and see also, Psalm 94’s Answer Recall the question? How long] shall they utter [and] speak hard things? [and] all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.8-23 And listen to the wise answer of a true saint:
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and [ye] fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastises the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, [shall not he know]? The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they [are] vanity. HERE IT COMES: ¦ Blessed [is] the man whom thou chastens, O LORD, and teaches him out of thy law; That thou may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? [or] who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Unless the LORD [had been] my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slips; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frames mischief by a law? They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. (HERE IT IS AGAIN) But the LORD is my defense; and my God [is] the rock of my refuge. And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; [yea], the LORD our God shall cut them off.
The final answer: Prefect righteousness perfect justice. In God's perfect time.
Can I show you one more time when there was wrong done to an innocent person? Someone who, like Joseph, suffered wrongfully it appears, but suffered that God's ultimate plan might be fulfilled. This is a Messianic Psalm, and you will recognize these words from a hill far away:
Psalm 22: 1-22 ¦ A Psalm of David. a messianic Psalm hear the words of our Lord: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabits the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying , He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.(If thou be the Christ) But thou [art] he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope [when I was] upon my mother's breasts .I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother's belly. e not far from me; for trouble [is] near; for [there is] none to help .
Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round.
They gaped upon me [with] their mouths, [as] a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.¦ I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Listen. I do not like the earth. I see much injustice and horror. I see people murdered because of their tribe. I see people slighted on both sides because of racial background. I see children dying of starvation in a world that is opulent in many parts. I see children abused. And I am helpless to stop it. I can do my part, I can do my best but it still goes on .But If I were God we’d ALL BE DEAD . There is no way I would give up my sweet precious son, were he perfect or not to bail out the rottenness of this world. Why does God allow bad stuff to happen? we've seen the question addressed in the Book of Job where God allows His best example of a "righteous" man to suffer terribly.
Job's faith is stretched almost to the breaking point, while well-meaning friends accuse him of having done something to deserve his suffering. Job's struggle goes on until finally being broken by the evidence of God's infinite wisdom and power.
It is impossible for us to fully understand the ways of a God who puts our faith to such strenuous tests. Yet the story of Job reminds us that God can take evil deeds done by others and work them into the fabric of His plan for our good.
God doesn't shield His people from all of the wickedness and suffering of a fallen world. But He alone has the power to use pain, persecution, and even death as part of His plan for our ultimate good. Romans 8:28
And here in Joseph we see Another example of how God brings good out of human evil .Although sold by his brothers into slavery, Joseph eventually became God's instrument to spare the lives of multitudes in Egypt, including the members of his own family. Although his brothers acted wickedly, God used their evil deeds for His good ends. When his brothers feared he would seek revenge after their father's death, Joseph said, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:19-20, NIV)."
One of the wonders of God's providence is His unfailing power to demonstrate His goodness even through the intentionally evil deeds of His creatures. What a comfort to know that no evil can nullify the good intentions of our sovereign God!
And finally in the suffering of Jesus, sweet son of the Most High we see displayed the mighty love of God for a fallen world. He willingly suffered for our sins. He accepted (and counted it worth it) all the indignity of shameful accusation, public nakedness and horrible torture and death.
And He was able to do it, according to first Peter because He had committed Himself to the one who judgeth righteously. What horrible wrong have you suffered?
Have you been shamefully treated? It hurts, and what seems to hurt the most is that God appears to have been deaf and blind to it all.
She was only trying to do the kind and loving thing, that's what brought her into conflict with the government. She had been sheltering Jews in her Father's house, and the law of the Land didn't allow that to happen. So thy took her, and her family away from home and put her into a dank prison cell. Her Father died soon , he was old and not well. soon her sister and herself were packed into a train car with thousands of others and transported to a place with the appealing name of Ravensbruk.
She and her sister, like so many others who had done no wrong, were beaten, frozen, maltreated, subject to molestation, nakedness, lice and any other unfairness imaginable.
Finally she was forced to watch as her sister died under the horrible NAZI oppression. You know, that horrible time, that long painful torturous labor, gave birth to a fruitful long ministry of love and forgiveness? Do you know that Corrie Ten Boom, like Job and Joseph and David and yes, our blessed Savior, learned the better way.
She tells of a meeting in Germany early in her ministry and she saw a man in the audience whom she recognized. He was a guard , a particularly mean one, from Ravensbruk. And Though her angry heart at first wanted revenge, the thought came to her that Jesus loved HER even though she was as guilty as this man, This man who will one day, because of that love of God demonstrated by Corrie Ten Boom, share heaven with the rest of us who deserve nothing but hell.
She in effect answered:"Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
I don't know what Ravensbruk you are in. I don't know what injustice you are suffering. But I know this, God does, and like the blessed savior we can commit ourselves to that righteous judge, who knowing our every evil...loves us anyway.
