We don’t say it, but it’s hard not to feel, it wasn’t fair for Job, a “perfect” man (Job 1:8 KJV) by God’s own estimation, to be subjected to all the pain, suffering, and deprivation he endured at the hands of the satan. But, doesn’t God the Judge determine what is fair? The same kind of thinking was voiced about the blind man in the NT. “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:2-3). The Almighty never apologized to Job and said, ‘I did it to win a bet with the satan.’ After the Almighty responded out of the whirlwind, Job could only say, “Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:3, 6). LORD, may we be as Your servant Job. Amen.
Repentance
Asymmetric Warfare
History is full of warring parties whose relative military powers differ significantly. This is asymmetric warfare. David versus Goliath. American colonists versus the British regular forces. The Viet Cong versus the American military. Hamas versus the Israelis. Do the weak actors, rebels, or insurgents always win? No. The underdog Americans won against the British in the American Revolution, but the more industrial Union defeated the more agrarian Confederacy in the American Civil War. Nations rise and fall because of the Unseen Hand of God. “6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in Mine hand, O house of Israel. 7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. 9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10 If it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them” (Jeremiah 18:6-10 KJV).
Scoffers and Shirkers
Outside the Kingdom of God , scoffers attack the credibility and authenticity of Christianity. Inside the Professed Church, shirkers do whatever possible to keep their hope of Heaven, while doing as little as possible to differentiate themselves from the world. “But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken” (Luke 12:45 KJV). Bible prophecy should warn the world to put their house in order, Jesus is coming. The Church must keep their eyes on Jesus and not look back to the flesh pots of Egypt. “Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full” (Exodus 16:3 KJV). Delaying Christ’s coming means different things to different people.
Prayer and Fasting
Diogenes looked for an honest man, but can one be found without the baggage of past sins? Jesus diagnosed His disciples’ failure to cast out a demon. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29 KJV). Forgotten wrongs by family members, church members, community members, or members of a nation, must be acknowledged, confessed, repented of, forgiveness given (if being withheld), and restitution made (where possible), before God can bless. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6 KJV).
When Faith Fails
The disciples failed to cast out a demon from an apparently epileptic boy. Jesus intervened. “All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23 KJV). The distraught father cried out, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief” (9:24). The faith of both the father and the disciples failed them. After healing the boy, Jesus diagnosed the solution. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (9:29). The sins of the parents are visited upon the “children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:7 KJV). Deliverance is possible only through Spirit directed searching, confession, repentance, and forgiveness of sins by means of prayer and fasting.
Negotiating With God
“That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25 KJV). Abraham interceded for Lot, when he negotiated for Jehovah’s willingness to put off the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The LORD was not negotiating whether it was right to deal with the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, but He was willing to give the evil twin cities more time to repent — and, they never did! Never mistake God’s merciful kindness for unwillingness or inability.
Concept of Delay
The concept of delay in spiritual warfare is more important in understanding Bible prophecy than it’s simple name would indicate. For whatever reason the Sovereign Lord deems appropriate, He may delay the return of the Messiah. Though delay puts off the ultimate defeat and subsequent judgment of Satan, the LORD gains by the additional opportunity for humanity to switch their allegiance to Yahweh. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2Peter 3:9 KJV).
Repentance or Faith?
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15 KJV). One cannot repent or turn away from what they do not believe to be wrong, and they cannot believe something to be wrong without ceasing that behavior or repenting. The Gospel is the Good News of God giving us a second chance. Taking sides with God against yourself is repentance. Acting like the Gospel is true is believing the Gospel. Ours is to repent and believe, but only the Spirit can give us faith (Ephesians 2:8) and “repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2Timothy 2:25 KJV).
Not Our Problem to Figure Out How God Keeps His Promises
It’s not our problem to figure out how God keeps His promises. “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36 KJV). Believing God is more important than trusting ourself. Do we know enough? Have enough faith? Repented enough? Prayed and fasted enough? That’s important and good, but it comes down to Jesus’ question. “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28 KJV). The blind men replied, “Yea, Lord” (9:28). Without any more discussion, “then touched He their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened” (9:29-30). Do whatever possible thing God requires of you; but essentially, God is responsible for the impossible, because it glorifies Him the way He deserves. “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23 KJV). Let God be God, who is responsible for the results. Let us not try to be God’s Public Relations, if things don’t work out. We are only responsible for the possible, which our limited thinking can understand. Only believe God! May the God of the Impossible be glorified by our confidence in Him!
Let Us Go On
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit” (Hebrews 6:1-3 KJV). The first “principles” (6:1) are elementary education preparation for “perfection” (6:1). Whenever we find ourselves “laying again the foundation of repentance” (6:1), it reveals something was wrong with our First Principles understanding. The Enemy doesn’t mind, if we keep doing the same thing over and over, hoping for a different result. Insanity! But, the Holy Spirit covenants to help us change our understanding, get it right, and go on. “And this will we do, if God permit” (6:3). Hallelujah!
We Need A Miracle 