Anyone who thinks that he or she has control over his or her own 
destiny has been proven wrong this week. 10s of thousands of people were stranded in various locations around the globe after their holidays because their homebound journeys were affected by a volcanic eruption in Iceland. This included my wife Kim who came to visit me in Hong Kong during her Easter school break. Her return flight is now rescheduled to the 28th. Although she told me that she could not wait to get on the plane, I am sure she did not mind the extended holiday. :o)
The Economist, under an article titled “Earthly Powers” presented 2 arguments that arose from “this demonstration of earthly power. The first is immediate and practical: was all this chaos man-made – an immense and costly overreaction by regulators to a spectacle that posed only a minor and manageable risk? The second is more philosophical: what does this say about man’s apparent inability to control nature?”
It went on to say that “…….there is no technology to plug volcanoes which pierce the earth’s crust, or to bind the faults which cause earthquakes. There is not yet even a science for predicting when faults and volcanoes will let lose. To that extent, mankind is still vulnerable to the vagaries of the planet. But th
e story of human development is one of becoming better at coping with them…..”. In closing, the article said that “…….When people talked about charms of powerlessness in the face of nature, part of what they are saying is that they don’t want to be bothered with facing up to what humans can do, and to what they might have at risk. The business of looking after a planet requires being bothered in advance …….”.
The author clearly thinks that man can control his or her own destiny. Through human development, including scientific ones, the author is advocating that even “nature” is within human power to control!This is positive but wishful thinking. I would also consider this as a kind of faith. Sadly, if my understanding of what the future holds is correct, the author’s faith is misplaced. He or she will be unpleasantly surprised and greatly disappointed one day.
It is important to discern the time we are in and take note of the signs of the many events (earthquake in China, tornado in USA, financial crisis in Greece…..) that are happening around the world. Everyone needs to make a choice about what kind of faith one should have in order to face each day and, more importantly, one’s future.
For me, I choose to believe that there is a Creator who made all things. He decides when and which volcano will erupt and when and where an earthquake will occur. He controls our destiny and the destiny of Planet Earth. Indeed, “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters........” [Ps 24:1-10 NIV]
The story of Job in the Bible reminded us that God is the only true boss of the Universe. Even the devil can only act with God’s permission. “One day…….a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off…….The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants…….The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off.……Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead……….Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. [Job 1:13-22 NIV]. The most incredible thing is that despite of what Job suffered, he did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. No wonder God said that "there is no one on earth like Job; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil" [Job 1:8 NIV].
Job was truly a man of great faith. He trusted God even though he had suffered so much. It was because he was sure of what he hoped for and certain of what he did not see. Yes “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…….By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible……And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him…....they are…..longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” [Heb 11:1-16 NIV]
Be confident to know that “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared……The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame. [Prov 3:19-35 NIV]
Amen and amen!
The story of Job in the Bible reminded us that God is the only true boss of the Universe. Even the devil can only act with God’s permission. “One day…….a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off…….The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants…….The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off.……Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead……….Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. [Job 1:13-22 NIV]. The most incredible thing is that despite of what Job suffered, he did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. No wonder God said that "there is no one on earth like Job; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil" [Job 1:8 NIV].
Job was truly a man of great faith. He trusted God even though he had suffered so much. It was because he was sure of what he hoped for and certain of what he did not see. Yes “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…….By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible……And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him…....they are…..longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” [Heb 11:1-16 NIV]
Be confident to know that “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared……The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame. [Prov 3:19-35 NIV]
Amen and amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment