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Theophile2 -> RE: Deuteronomy 27:15-26 (can somebody explain) (8/11/2008 1:49:48 PM)
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Devchenka -
Lapidoth provides a pretty good summary of the proper way to take a look at the scriptures you were given by your pastor ... basic spiritual laws that God has set up - obey His laws and you will be blessed, if you disobey God (sin) you are likely to reap some consequences.
And that is a very good answer to your surface question.
But in truth you are really seeking guidance on how to respond to your husband being sick for three years, aren't you?
And the debate that ensues is non other than the one that Job had with his friends, and what Jesus taught on the subject. If someone is sick or destitute or their life is just filled with all sorts of financial, or relational, or physical, or emotional, or whatever pain, is it because that person is full of unrepented sin?
There is always that possibility. BUT. Job discovered that the reason God allowed him to go through his troubles was actually because it was the only way God knew Job would get out of his little religious rut and come to see God in a whole new light and have a much closer and more personal relationship with Him (Job 42:1-6).
And what did Jesus say about this subject:
Mt 25:34-40 "Then the King shall say to those on His right hand, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? When did we see You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You? And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me."
Jn 9:2-3 "And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither has this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God might be revealed in him."
Jn 11:3-4 "Then his sisters sent to Him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick. When Jesus heard, He said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God might be glorified by it."
And what did the Apostle Paul say about it:
Rom 5:3-4 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, (4) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope (2 Cor 12:9-10;
And James:
James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, (3) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (4) And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
So here's the deal.
There are two basic reasons God allows any flavor of suffering:
- To draw someone closer to God; either as discipline from sin, or trial in righteousness, or an object lesson for an observer to subsequently changes his or her life to seek first the Kingdom of God
- To give someone else the opportunity to serve Christ through that person
No one but your husband knows if there's any sin he may or may not need to deal with in his heart. No one but your husband knows if the reason God is putting him through this trial is to draw him closer to God.
And no one on the face of this planet can give you a scripture from the Bible that will tell you which one it is.
The question I have for you and the rest of your family is this ... do you see this as an opportunity to serve Christ through serving your husband? Is this event bringing the both of you individually and together closer in your relationship to Christ?
Lord Jesus we thank you for another day of your new mercies and graces, and we praise you for you are El-Roi the God who Sees, you are Jehovah Jireh the God who Provides, and you are Jehovah Rapha the God who Heals. We ask Lord Jesus that you lay your healing hand upon Devchenka's husband and bring to him a quick recovery and perfect healing, and may their relationship with each other and with you be strengthened, deepened, and made more intimate in this their time of trial. We ask this petitions based on the promises of your Holy Word, that they be done in the power of your Holy Spirit, in your good will and timing, and to the Glory of your Kingdom. In Jesus name ... amen.
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