TREASURY OF SERMONS
1999 | 2000 |
2001 |
2002 | 2003
Born for Trouble
By Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow
(Preached at Calvary Puchong BPF, KL, Mar 16 2003)
Text: Job 5:7-12
This world which God created bright and
beautiful was once a paradise until sin came in through the fall of
our first parents, Adam and Eve. The children that came after them
were now born for trouble. Cain slew his younger brother Abel out of
jealousy because Abel’s sacrifice of a lamb was accepted but his
from the produce of his own hands was not. The trouble that came on
Abel also saddened his parents.
Sin brought sorrow and pain to Eve in
childbirth, and put her in subjection to her husband. Sin brought
much toil and labour to Adam also. Cursed was the ground for his
sake. Thorns and thistles that come out of the ground made him sweat
to eat his bread. And he must die and be buried back in the ground.
Surely man is born for trouble.
When it is observed there are those with a
relatively smooth journey through life, Calvin says it is from the
common grace of the hand of God. For example, one who succeeds well
in his studies, has a bright career, is happily married and lives to
a ripe old age.
But God is gracious to mankind and sends Jesus
His only begotten Son to die for our sins that we may be saved in
our sorrowful earthly life and transformed hell on earth into heaven
for us, after we have found Him. Instead of having Cain who murdered
Abel his brother, we can get them to love God and love one another.
As Christian parents we must first pray for our
children. We must follow up by leading them to worship God at home.
We must bring them to Sunday School and Church. In America where
there are established Christian schools we must send them there
where they are being brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
One of the greatest blessings in our one-year
stay in America was the opportunity we had in sending our two
children to the Christian school. It was there that they accepted
the Lord to be their Saviour. This is better than their final
graduation from high school. When they reached 12 or 13 after we
returned to Singapore it was our greatest joy to hear them apply
themselves to join the Catechism Class to prepare for reaffirmation
of faith.
My daughter, by God’s special grace, married a
minister of the Gospel. They stay with us at the parsonage. They
have two daughters. It is my joy again to impart the word of
salvation to them. I have confidence through the Word I have prayed
for them that they are saved. The elder of the two once asked me to
pray she might be a better Christian. The younger of the two would
follow me to say Amen after each prayer. My prayer for both of them
is they might love Jesus and become good girls and obey their
parents because Jesus died for them on the cross for their sins. My
two granddaughters, being children of sorrow are born for trouble.
Through Jesus Christ they now could find peace. How about your
children and grandchildren? Do you pray for them?
The verse of Scripture we read for our text is
actually Job’s own verse. Job was a righteous man whom God specially
blessed. Not only was he blessed with riches and much cattle and
animals, he was given 7 sons and 3 daughters each owning a house and
properties. Satan said bad words about Job. He said to God that if
these blessings were taken from him, and even his good health, Job
would deny God. God allowed Satan to do his worst, including taking
away his health. The result was death came over all his children and
Job suffered bodily in skin diseases and itches. Job simply bowed
before his Creator and said, "Naked came I out of my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath
taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). In all this
Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. In a second test, Satan
smote Job with sore boils, from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Job took a potsherd to scrape himself and sat among the ashes. Then
said his wife to him, "Curse God and die." But Job replied his wife,
"You foolish woman. Shall we receive good at God’s hand and shall we
not receive evil?"
Job is the example of a long line of good
Christians who so love their God that they will receive abuse and
torture from God’s enemies without the slightest complaint. Let me
end this sermon with my own testimony. Many years ago Life Church
was holding a Bible Camp at Cameron Highlands. On the way my wife,
daughter and aunt met with a fatal traffic accident and three of
them were all killed. It shocked me white. But like Job I only bowed
before Him without any complaint. To doubters, I further quoted Job
again, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15).
Today, He has more than compensated me double as he restored Job.
Is your life encumbered with many sorrows? Even
with a black sheep in your family? Are you also left to yourself
like Job with a "foolish" wife? Do not be discouraged. Calvin says
again, "Adversity should draw us closer to God." God sends all kinds
of difficulties to draw us nigh to Himself. Have you repented from
your sins? Have you received Christ as your Saviour?
Top|Back
Click here for Sermons by Rev (Dr) Jeffrey Khoo
Click here for Audio Sermons
|
