Philippians 1:12-30
2 Corinthians 1:3-11
1 Samuel 17
I’m sure you have heard the question “Why do bad things happen to good people?” It has been asked for centuries, since the Bible was written, Job finally had the courage to ask it—we all wonder! Books have been written about it, theologians attempt to address it in all kinds of ways, and every time we minister to people through tragedy, if it is not asked, then it is the unspoken “elephant in the room” question that is on everyone’s mind.
The reasons behind which things happen can be many. Consequences of actions can be just as much to blame as accidents. Thoughtful decisions and planning can help to avoid a lot of unwanted outcomes. Yet people tend to hold God responsible for the bad things that happen and give him credit for the good. We can learn a lot from Paul’s example in his writings, because his perspective is always kingdom oriented.
The first thing he wants to assure the Philippians is that the gospel is advancing even though he is in chains. Not only is he able to witness in prison by telling all those around him about Christ, and that he is imprisoned for no other reason than his preaching, he is also aware that his brothers on the outside have become bolder in their witness for Christ! We don’t know whether they were encouraged by Paul’s words as they visited him in prison, or whether they were so disturbed by his condition that they were spurred into action. All we know is that Paul says they were fearless—a definite manifestation of the Spirit! Paul also contrasts this good news with news that the gospel is being advanced by others whose motives are not so pure—and yet he rejoices. This is a man wholly at ease with God’s sovereignty over his circumstances, and that the outcome is in His hands.
Here Paul is letting the Philippians into his world of suffering and perseverance, giving them a picture so that they know exactly what they are praying for and how to continue—and he is completely dependent upon their prayers (v.19). He is also giving them an example to follow. His focus is on the outcome—not on the circumstances. He wants them to feel the joy he feels through his pain. Paul never implied that prison was good, or that it wasn’t a hardship. Can you imagine being this type of minister of the gospel—that in your darkest hour you are all about Christ and him glorified? This is a sign of God’s victory, when our joy remains in affliction.
Is it possible that our culture, our lifestyles, our places in society, the financial blessings God has placed upon us such as access to shelter, travel, food, medicine and care have so spoiled us that our suffering seems so much greater so that we can’t focus on the advancement of the gospel through it? I daresay, put something on the line. . . our house burns, we lose our job, we get cancer and can’t work, we lose a spouse, loved one, parent or child—is the first thing we think of “how can I make sure the kingdom of Christ is advanced through this tragedy?” Where do these treasures lie in our list of life’s priorities?
Let us meditate on three things that Paul desired for the Philippians (v.27):
Stand firm
With Unity
In a manner worthy of Christ
And let us pray for each other until His return.
Mostly I will comment on Samuel 17...
ReplyDeleteWho are we without Hashem? What can we do without Him? What can we do without the Light of Torah? What can we do without His protection? What can we do without His blessing? NOTHING...absolutely nothing!
Sitting on the Judean slopes around Beit Lechem (Bethlehem / House of Bread), David observed the very essence of Hashem in ever aspect of creation. He also observed the wickedness of pagan people and how they longed to destroy the Tribes of Israel. When his father sent him to the front lines to carry provisions to his brothers in King Saul's battle against the Philistines, little did anyone know what was about to happen! The youngest brother the others deemed not fit for battle and could not even wear Saul's armor because it was too heavy, took out the largest and most insolent of all giants. How could he do this? How did he know what to do?
Just across the Jordan River lies Moab. David's great-grandmother was a lady named Ruth who was a Moabite princess but followed her mother-in-law Naomi and left everything pagan behind to become a Jewess and to embrace Hashem. Ruth had a sister who chose to stay in Moab. Quite simple... Ruth chose G-d and her sister did not. Many years later, Ruth's great-grandson David would face-off with his cousin Goliath, her sister's grandson, in the Elah Valley!
How did David know what to do? He had studied his enemy! With all the armies of Saul and all the money he poured into this battle to defeat these Philistines...all to no avail! And then comes the anointed son of Jesse who volunteered to take care of the problem. The soldiers made fun of him, mocked him, cursed him... didn't matter to David. He knew his enemy! Goliath stands defiantly on the mountain-side and screams at David. David calmly pulls out his sling, the most humble of weapons, and picks up some smooth stones. The more irate Goliah became the more visible he was to David. David loaded the sling and knowing that Divine Favor was with him, he aimed for the only place he knew was not covered by armor on Goliah. So fast and so swift was the rock from his sling that Goliath didn't see it coming and couldn't hold up his shield to cover his head! Here he is... the mighty Goliath, defeated by his little cousin David, who used a rock and a sling to take out one of the most vile enemies of Israel.
It doesn't matter if you have little or much... KNOW YOUR ENEMY! When you know your enemy and Hashem is with you, your enemy will be defeated! But don't expect to be praised by those around you for defeating the enemy... they will mock and criticize from jealousy and envy. When this happens, you hold your head up and continue on, ever searching and learning about the enemy that wants to attack you so that you can be ready with the right weapon at the right time under the guidance of the Arm of Hashem!
***Just a note... Notice that David's father was sending food provisions to his sons who were in the army of King Saul. This should be an example for us. In Israel, the IDF soldiers get very little per month from the government to live on, so it is up to the families and friends of these soldiers to make sure they have provisions when they need them. It is not uncommon for a group of soldiers to spend Shabbat in a complete stranger's home. It is not uncommon for women to make cakes and casseroles to take to the army bases for the soldiers to have as a supplement to their army food.
ReplyDeleteAs citizens of the United States, we should care for our soldiers and their families in the same way. There are so many opportunities to send things to our soldiers out in the field and there are many more opportunities for us to help the families they leave behind while they are protecting us! When you see a soldier, don't just pass by... stop the soldier and express your thanks for their sacrifice. When you see an convoy on the road, don't just pass by... honk your horn and wave like crazy! No greater gift is there than for a man to lay down his life for his friends... that's what our soldiers do and we should show our appreciation.
“How can I be sure the Kingdom of God is advanced through this tragedy?” I think this is the very best question in the world we can ask ourselves in the midst of suffering. It reminds us of the eternal scale of things and restores our perspective and thereby our hearts and courage and faith. God is always faithful to meet us intimately in our suffering, and what can be better than having the Lord Himself draw close to us? Also important, it seems to me, is that we keep this in mind as we witness the suffering of our brethren around us. Sometimes we’re aghast at what we see and hear, but I think we do one another a disservice if we let our dismay be greater than our faith in God for others. Paul preached joy to these people in their suffering, and I hope we do the same for one another. Let’s not let the enemy paralyze us with grief and doubt, but rather help one another advance the Kingdom through tragedy!
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