There is no such thing as a whimsical, arbitrary act of nature. Warm and cold fronts to not accidentally come together to form tornados. Large storms to not capriciously make landfall. Lightening does not strike without direction. And even flood waters to not rise over the tops of houses with out sovereign allowance. As I preach through the book of Amos, this truth is overwhelmingly clear; and it is one that Israel had forgotten. The Lord God is faithful to bring destructive judgment upon those who disobey His commandments (cf. Lev 26; Duet 28). He uses many different means to do so, two of them being placed in the categories of natural disaster and/or exile by foreign nations.
This theological pill is hard to swallow, but swallow it we must. In Amos at least, the Lord is relentlessly proclaiming, "You (Israel) have sinned against Me. I will therefore destroy you as I said I would (cf. Deut 28; Lev 26). Repent of your idolatry and seek Me in order that you may live."
It was necessary that Israel interpret the coming earthquake (Am 1:1; Zeph 14) as well as the Assyrian invasion (3:10) not as random, whimsical acts of nature or nations, but as the active, intentional work of the Lord's judicial hand against His rebellious people. Israel needed to know that their Lord was faithful, not only to bless them, but to curse. We need to know this as well. Why?
First, so that we may interpret historical events accurately, providing the ability to respond to them rightly. The religious fanatics say that disasters destroy only sinners, while avoiding the sinless (namely, themselves!). The religious liberals claim God has nothing to do with disasters (the affected are simply innocent victims of an arbitrary act of nature). Christ, however, in Luke 13, gives the right interpretation. We must all look upon these events with repentance and awe lest we all likewise perish.
Second, so that we may revere rightly. We should not give more reverence to violent storms than we do the Supreme Lord. All who run from a storm, must run toward Christ - there is no other safe option. Should the tornado take our life, we must be right with God who is Lord over the tornado.
Third, so that we may worship rightly. As strong as foreign armies or hurricanes may be, they are not stronger than Christ, who holds all things together (Col 1:15-20). The judgment that the Son will bring on the last day will make all historical tragic and awesome events pale in comparison. Only those who are "in Him" will be safe. This theology removes the pathetic jesus from our pulpits and proclaims the Sovereign Majestic Christ in its stead.
Fourth, so that we may love others quickly. While the progress of all history is rooted in the foundations of the Triune God, it turns here or there according to His willful decision. Events happen so freely that they scare us. When will the next tornado come? Only the Lord knows. Tomorrow is promised to no one. We must love now and call all people to repentance and faith in Christ alone, while there is still time.
Finally, because the alternative is deadly. If the Lord is not over these things; if storms and other tragic events are whimsical and arbitrary, then we have no occasion whatsoever for rest or security in life - being constantly subject to the random reactions of an impersonal nature; or, worse yet, the ultimate plans of a malicious terror.
But knowing that the All-Wise, All-Powerful, Sovereign Lord is in heaven, faithfully doing exactly what He pleases (Ps 115:3), we can say will the upmost certainty and rest that, though He slay me, I will hope in Him (Job 13:15). And this is our only security, that all who are in Christ Jesus cannot be separated from His love (Rom 8:35-39).
No comments:
Post a Comment