Chris' Corner -- Sunday, January 30, 2022
When Jonah showed his attitude of indifference for the people of Nineveh, God asked him, “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?” (Jonah 4:11). Jonah was prejudiced, heartless, and uncaring. In his thinking, some people didn’t deserve any pity or mercy from God. How quickly he had forgotten his own salvation from the belly of a whale in the depths of the sea.
A great storm came up when Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee. The waves were beating into the side of the boat, and it was filling with water. The disciples, four of which were experienced fishermen, panicked. Jesus was “in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). We know the story. The Lord rebuked the storm and calmed the sea. He does care.
It doesn’t matter how righteous we are or how good may we live. Everyone experiences trouble and suffers misfortune in their lives. Because of this cursed world, God’s people are not immune from disease, sickness, pain, or death. Job confessed, “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble” (14:1). And the Lord of creation cares!
In Matthew ten, Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will” (29). No living thing in all of His creation is insignificant to God or lacks His concern and pity. It follows He will spare no means to extend His mercy to those created in His image.
God gives His physical blessings to everyone (Matthew 5:45). But His children have so much more. While we remain in this trouble-filled world, heaven is more than ready and able to assist us in our struggles. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6–7).
God loved us so much, He gave us the gift of His Son. He followed up on this by giving us His Holy Word. What comfort and relief we find in the pages of His powerful scriptures! We may not be able to escape this world’s hardships and heartache, but the Lord promises to lift us spiritually and emotionally. The prophet said, “For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you'” (Isaiah 41:13).
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:17–18).
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God [emphasis added]” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
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