Don’t let your dark places control your life.”
–Troy G. Wagstaff (.44 Caliber Preacher)
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
–2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV)
———————–
Yesterday, August 6, 1945, was a day that forever changed the course of world history. It was the day that the Enola Gay flew over Hiroshima and dropped the first nuclear bomb. Many today said that it was cruel and heartless, but it broke the back of the Japanese empire. It took another one, a few days later to finally bring it to their knees.
Some say it was cruel and inhumane, Those do not know their history. Sure, we could have starved them into submission. Put a blockade around the country. Japan was already starving so when the Americans came, they brought food. Japan was also in the midst of a massive cholera epidemic. That was quickly stopped with the occupation by American troops. Plus there was the fact that thousands upon thousands would have been killed when an invasion took place which was scheduled for spring 1946, both American and Japanese. My Dad’s Division was to be in the invading force. He had fought in New Guinea and the Philippines, and was part of the invasion of Palawan.
————————
Is this a true pandemic? I have problems with the term. Sure, several have been affected, but the death rate is very low. Pandemic, epidemic proportions, not sure? Think of the Black Death. It swept through Europe several times killing one-third to one-half the population. The influenza of 1917-1920 killed probably over forty million.
Not to get in an argument over the term, but I want to remind you of Who is in control. “When trials or disasters come upon us in life, we many times recoil at the dilemma because we can’t see down the road of life to know what God is preparing us for.” (Gregg Turnbull) We get so caught up in the dilemma, or the “pandemic” that we cannot see the hand of God and what He is trying to do in our lives. “Christian, when something that you would consider bad happens to you, do not hit the panic button. If God allowed it, don’t be shortsighted. Not only is God watching your response, but others are also. Have confidence in God.” (Gregg Turnbull)
———————–
“Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.”
–Proverbs 2:5-7 (NKJV)
Let me ask this one very important question? Is God your Father? When you talk with Him, if you do, are you frazzled and seeking things from other sources, or do you calmly go to Him? I like the words of F.B. Meyer, “It is a mistake to see a sign from heaven; to run from counselor to counselor; to cast a lot; or to trust to some chance coincidence. Not that God may not reveal his will thus; but because it is hardly the behavior of a child with its Father. There is a more excellent way. Let the heart be quieted and still in the presence of God… Let the voice of the Son of God hush into perfect rest the storms that sweep the lake of the inner life, and ruffle its calm surface… Remembering that all who lack wisdom are to ask it of God…let us quietly appropriate him, in that capacity, by faith; and then go forward, perhaps not conscious of any increase of wisdom…but sure that we shall be guided as each new step must be taken, or word spoken, or decision made.”
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
–Matthew 7:11(NKJV)
————————
I will finish today with a portion from a sermon by Phillips Brooks. In this he deals with some very important questions that all should answer and at the end of life all will answer before Him at the judgment. Have you ever thought about your purpose here on earth? What were you placed here for?
“What makes every one of us sigh when we think what we might have been? Why is every one of us missing his highest? What are we all shut out from our trees of life? There is one word, one universal word, that tells the sad story for us all. It is selfishness–selfishness from the beginning. If we had not been selfish, if we had lived for God from the beginning, if we had been consecrated, we know it would have been different;…we would have come to what He made us for–our fullest and our best life.”
A person may think that they are a success, that they have it all, but then that day comes when they stand before the Lord and they have nothing to show. They look around as if to say, “I have done this”, but find that there is nothing there. He then looks at the Lord who is silently shaking His head.
Now is the time to seek Him. Now is the time to consecrate and be willing to give all and do service for the Lord.