WHEN GOD SEEMS SO WICKED OR DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE

REFERENCE SCRIPTURE Job 5:6-7 For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble spring from the ground; Yet man is born to trouble, as [surely as] the sparks fly upward. SOME LIFE SITUATIONS THAT MAKE GOD LOOKS SO WICKED/UNCARING 1. Prolonged job search 2. Delayed manifestation of a future partner 3. Having a tough time in marriage 4. Having a tough time in business or at workplace 5. Poverty and Lack 6. Being misunderstood every time 7. “Feeling” Unappreciated 8. Unfulfilled Dreams etc. etc. SOME REASONS WHY THESE ARE SO 1. A test of character – Joseph’s example in Genesis 37, 39-41 God does not use an untested vessel - Joseph was not popular among his family members - He was hated by his own brothers - He was sold as a slave by his own brothers - He was thrown into prison for an offence he did not commit - He was forgotten in the prison by someone whose dream he helped to interpret - He was eventually elevated and honoured above all his adversaries 2. The purging of the soul/punishment for sin – The example of David in 1 Samuel 11-18 - David had an illicit affair with the wife of Uriah, one of his subjects, and had him killed at war in order to save his face when she became pregnant - The first child the woman born to him died, despite his earnest prayers and fasting (1 Samuel 12) - David’s son, Amnon, raped his step-sister, Tamar (1 Samuel 13) - Absalom, Tamar’s brother, killed Amnon in vengeance for the defilement of his sister (1 Samuel 13) - Absalom later declared himself as king of Israel and caused David to flee the city for the wilderness (1 Samuel 15:10-18) - Some trusted friends and counsellors of David deserted him to pitch their tents with Absalom (1 Samuel 15:31) - David was cursed and stoned by Shimei while wandering in the wilderness in fear of his son (1 Samuel 16:5-8) - Absalom slept with his father’s concubines on top of the house, in the full glare of the public! (1 Samuel 16:20-22) - David lost another dear son, Absalom, when the rebellion was eventually quenched (1 Samuel 18:32-33) - All of these, and other misfortunes, befallen David because of the sin of adultery and murder that he committed 3. A test of faith – The example of Job in Job 1-42 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations: Revelation 2:26 - Job was subjected to multiple afflictions just to determine the limit of his faithfulness to God! - His servants (staff) were killed by raiders who stole his 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys. 1:15 - Fire consumed all his 7,000 sheep as well as some of his servants. 1:16 - Another band of raiders made away with his 3,000 camels and also killed some of his servants. 1:17 - His 7 sons & 3 daughters were all killed in a collapsed building. 1:18-19 ALL OF THESE HAPPENED TO JOB IN ONE DAY! - He was afflicted with painful boils from head to foot. 2:7-8 - To make matters worse, his wife tongue-lashed him for his faithfulness to God in the midst of their woes. 2:9-10 - Even his closest friends castigated him and presumptuously blamed his misfortunes on his sins - But Job kept the faith in the midst of it all and forgave all who had unjustly criticised him. - And God restored all he had lost to him double-fold. 42:10-17 SOME ATTRIBUTES OF GOD God is Omniscient - Job 24:1, Hebrews 4:13 God is Immutable – He does not change - James 1:17 God is Just - Deuteronomy 32:4 (KJV) God is Merciful - Lamentation 3:22-23 God is Faithful - 2 Timothy 2:11-13, Lament 3:23 God is Good, and does good - Psalm 119:68 God is Caring - 1 Peter 5:7 HOW TO GET OUT OF THE “GOD DOES NOT CARE” TRAP Do a Soul-searching, then Repent from and Forsake Sinful Habits – Proverbs 28:13 Be Prayerful – Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Have a Change of Perspective – know that it could have been worse Develop a Habit of Thanksgiving – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Have a Change of Attitude – Count it ALL Joy! – James 1:2-4 THE STORY OF THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO One day I decided to quit. I wanted to quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality…I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me. "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. “In the second year, the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same was the case in year four. Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But, just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall! It had spent the five years growing roots beneath. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.” “I will not give any of my creatures a challenge it can not handle. Do you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.” “Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose apart from the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. “Your time will come." God said to me, "And you will rise high" "How high would I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked me in return. "As high as it can?" I questioned "Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can." I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; Bad days give you experiences; Both are essential to life. If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.