House of the Lord

For this saith the Lord God; how much more when I send my four sore judgements upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

Notice the focus is not on Daniel Job and Noah but rather on God's response to their works by which they themselves are found worthy but the peoples are not. Could this be the case then, so to prepare ourselves for his coming that there would be none left in the house at the judgement. For if the master of the house had known what time the thief would come of Matthew 24:43, he would have watched. Thus would he have not suffered his house to be broken into. So too if one is taken and another left, what has been done to prepare the way before him as with John the Baptist. It is at times like these I am reminded of those going to see the great king. Yet as with the fourth wise man, had they only stopped along the way to free the others also then might they not have been alone in their shame at his appearing. So it is with our Father who is in Heaven also according to Luke 11:2. See, his will being done on earth as it is in Heaven. Yet have you ever stopped to question the how of his will being done. As in Revelation 20:1, it is so easy for the angel to go out with a great chain. Harder still though for the angel to actually do as he has been asked and yet even more impossible not to drag others down with it along the way. What then you may wonder of the three occupancies. 

Noah knew God as provider, keeper, sustainer of life. He is our life preserver if you will that even though should you end up in a dark place even there will he keep you. So there is more than keeping to be seen for he also brings you back out. For this cause built he an ark at the Lord's command to the saving of life. Now for Job it becomes a little bit harder. When you're going through a situation or even a bad time, it matters not how righteous you are nor yet how much he can keep you. So is seen the portion of God in that we have received. Whether as the administrator of his sufferings or someone to be reasoned with, to me it is clear Job saw God always. From the cradle to the grave, in the test and the trial alike was he faithful. So in all things God remained the One he knew. For Daniel though it was all a bit different, possibly foreign and somewhat strange. For then he was, Immanuel, or the God who walks with us. From the fiery furnace to the lions den to the banks of the river that almost took his life, there was not a moment that the Lord was not present and involved with Daniel's life. So too were there many mighty works done on his behalf and knowledge like no other, even that of the Holy One himself. Looking from the outside in, his life leaves no doubt that it can only be God. Then we see as at last that the respective ministries of each differed as well. How you view him is the same way you portray him. So Noah preached God's repentance in light of the coming judgement for years though it was listened to not. As God gave him breath and thereby the utterance so he did minister. You might could say faithful was he in preaching as in ministry. So too he ran an excellent building program. But how many know that when God is the author and finisher of our faith, we haven't any need of such. Let us then be moving beyond. Next up comes Job in all his trouble as he spoke of the Lord. Notice his three friends held hostage quite against their will. So too he spoke to all who would listen, up to and including the Lord. You could say his viewpoint was that of a ready to teach. Then came Daniel in the test and the trial who still saw the power of God all the while. So too in visions and dreams he found out that things were not as they seemed. For the God of the situation then controlled all things too. With him they followed wherever they would. Here are their works now for your view. There's Noah the preacher. In Job is found wisdom and Daniel with the deliverance ministry or keeper of dreams. See, it's awfully hard to tell of a God whom you have not received. As in 1 John 4:19, we love him due to the fact he loved us first. It just doesn't work any different. Harder still is it though to show him in all of his character except you have known. Then could it be seen amid the four judgments sore, even that of the sword, famine, noisome beast, and pestilence behind, God is keeping his people. So this then is the righteousness by which God will deliver. Yet not of the law of Romans 3:20 for without his sight could none be redeemed. How this text should comfort some to know the God who watches over his children. More than that, he has come to prepare to an end, even that of the preserving of life. 

Yet behold therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth both sons and daughters: behold they shall come forth unto you, and you shall see their way and their doings: and you shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. 

And they shall comfort you when you see their ways and their doing and you shall know thet I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord.

Notice the words comfort twice repeated here in the text. Now it is a wonderful thing to receive the comfort ye my people and far better still to be the comforted by God. Yet how many have heard of the Comforter told of in John 14:16. See, who better to comfort and provide than Christ Jesus himself and his Father be they though one. Then again I can hear some of you saying 'hasn't Christ Jesus already promised to stay.' oh my friends, he is God with us is he not. Of course for that too has he provided as John 15:26 testifies. As in John 16:7 only God could promise such for he sent only himself. So Matthew 26:26-28 tells of the giving thereof thusly. See Christ "on the same night" as his betrayal gave the bread and wine to his disciples as he willingly did his own body. Unless you too have taken, eaten, and drunk with him, it's hard indeed to fathom what we are talking about. So then the way you received him is the same way you portray him. Then too your type of service also depends on how you have know him. With Noah, God is sustainer, breath, and giver of life. This same breath we see indwelt at creation as in Genesis 2:7. Thus you could say the breath holds his life, keeping us alive every hour. Yet when we speak of creation, it is plain that something more is needed. Else would God not have sent Noah and with him the ark. See, Noah lived for a time of great devastation. So then to be kept through this life, requires something just a bit more. Often times there's troubles and trials in life. Oh how good it would be to speak of the Lord. Then would nothing ever be wanted or needed I think. Yet come now with Job; sit down and try it. It will soon be clear to you that something else is intended. See, it's all very wonderful to have God with us of course. But you too will need his power from on high for all you might face. In the time of Jacobs trouble who wrestled with God, you just might find some strength now is wanted. Following God is not just about blessings, long life, and stuff. Yet how many use faith and religion as an excuse to play the god roulette. So often some do this just as God once found the prophets of Baal. Remember how they tortured themselves in search of false fire. Come on now your faith is being tested. It's a time of great trial which wears out the saints. Could it be you have need of some patience as in John 20:22. Then consider the work of the next. Acts 2:2-4 speaks of the coming of fire at the day of Pentecost or the power from on high. See, when you have God with you in all you go through, there is little any can do else. Just so, he walks with you wherever you go. More than that, is he not able to save you all out or even to show forth the power he brings. How he delights to speak to his children and to show himself strong on their behalf.