Who is sending the Wind?
In today’s reading we read:
Jonah 1: 4 ¶ But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
Yet, in the New Testament we read:
Matt 14 22 Then He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent away the crowds.
: 24 But the boat was by this time out on the sea, many furlongs [a furlong is one-eighth of a mile] distant from the land, beaten and tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them.
So, if we are facing opposition in our lives: Who is sending the Wind?
Notice if you will, that in the first Scripture we see Jonah, running from God in direct disobedience to a specific command.
Got him eaten by a big fish.
In the second account, we see the disciples of Jesus, facing a big storm but it is clear, after study, that God did not send the storm. Rather, it was demonic opposition to the Word of Jesus, when he commanded the disciples to get in the boat and go over to the other side of the lake.
Like I bring out in great detail in my book, ‘Parable of the sower’, devils oppose the Word of God.
http://www.amazon.com/Parable-Sow…/…/1491207825/ref=sr_1_16…
Mr 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
So when winds of opposition come into our lives, who is bringing them, God or the devil.
Well, there are two schools of thought on this:
1. God judges sin, and if we disobey Him, He will oppose us, with the intent of getting us back on track.
2. God is a good God, who only exhibits love, mercy, and compassion on those that serve Him, and that His goodness leads people to repentance. That when there are evil things happening, these things are only from satan, because Jesus revealed his nature in John 10: 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
So, the question must be asked: Does God send evil upon people, or simply permit it?
Well, if you are not experiencing ‘life and life more abundantly’ as Jesus promises, I think it is safe to say that the problem is not God. It is from one of two places: 1. Demonic opposition to you and your calling in the earth. 2. Your sin or lack of knowledge of the Word.
God never changes, and He is a good God. He loves us, and wants only good things for our lives, yet I am a parent who really, really loves my children.
I only want good things for their lives. Yet, if they disobey, defy me, or deliberately do wrong, I change from being their loving daddy, to their loving father, well able to bring correction and direction to their lives.
Consider these verses:
I was asked at one point to participate in an AIDS intervention program, in a nation in Africa. God heals AIDS, in fact I have friend that was delivered from a homosexual lifestyle, and healed supernaturally by God of AIDS. When asked to comment, I said: ‘Well, perhaps you need me to come preach on holiness. The heart of AIDS is mostly a ‘zipper’ problem. If you have a people that abstain from sex until they are married, and only have sex within the confines of their marriage to only one wife, you drastically eliminate AIDS.’
Guess that wasn’t the politically correct thing to say, as I was not invited back to speak.
I was asked to speak to some business leaders and government officials on how to rebuild a war-torn nation. My reply was simply: ‘The foundation of any nation must be integrity, honesty, morality, and a commitment to serve Jesus, at every level of business and government. If people see leadership lying, stealing, accepting bribes, and implementing favoritism among certain cliques and families in the nation, they will not trust leaders, and will not follow programs and policies designed to provide constructive growth within the nation. If people know they are loved, and that leaders representing them have their best interests at heart, they will naturally follow, and help the team move into victory, prosperity, and a better future for their families, communities, and the nation. You cannot build upon broken bricks. Leaders, must be solid persons of unflinching courage and integrity, no compromise.’
These words, spoken during a cabinet meeting in Africa, caused the wise leaders of that nation to implement a new government department called ‘the ministry of integrity’, that deliberately curtailed bribery and corruption within the nation (That is now doing exceptional, historically, precedent setting things throughout the continent of Africa)
When leadership, at any level, sells out to Jesus, and decides to seek Him first, and do things right, because its right, for His sake, we discover that Jesus really is a suffering servant King, who rolls up his sleeves and supernaturally goes to work with us, the Creator revealing His creativity to us and through us, to solve impossible problems, when we do things His way. How well I have learned the truth of John 3:27: Apart from Him, we can do nothing….
Rather than spend pages discussing these two theological viewpoints, I am going to take a more practical position this morning. I think we agree that God is the solution, whether the wind of adversity comes from our own disobedience, or satanic opposition, right?
So, let’s simply solve both problems this morning, in prayer:
‘Father, I come to You right now, asking You for clear direction. If I have disobeyed, or sinned against You in any way, please forgive me. Please instruct, direct, correct, and show me what I need to do in this particular storm of life. Now, satan, every trap, snare, obstacle, deception, or assignment you have set up against me, my family, my church, or my nation, I command MOVE. Get our of my way, NOW! In the name and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ I command and pray, Amen!’
