A Timely Rescue

Job 33:1–7 ESV

“But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words. Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks. My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely. The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay. Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you.

He is, officially, the most decorated soldier of World War II. Audie Murphy was a young Texas farm boy who was too short to be a marine and too frail to be a paratrooper. The U.S. Army eventually accepted him. He served with distinction in nine campaigns throughout Europe. However, it was in the invasion of southern France, where he was to distinguish himself even further. It was January 1945, near Holtzwihr, in eastern France. Murphy’s unit came under attack by six German Panzer tanks and 250 infantrymen. Murphy ordered a retreat and mounted a burning tank destroyer, holding the enemy back with a machine gun. Wounded by gunfire, Murphy held his position for almost an hour, single-handedly killing 50 enemy soldiers. He stalled the German advance long enough for his unit to reorganize and drive the enemy from Holtzwihr. For his actions, Audie Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor, America’s highest award for gallantry. By war’s end, still not even 21 years old, Lieutenant Audie Murphy had earned every medal for bravery his country could bestow.

Unbelievable Stories About Real Soldiers Of World War II (therichest.com)

We hear stories of military heroism, but there are other military heroism we may not see. This happens also in the Army of God. We can recount many true stories from the Bible, missionaries, and revivals. Some of the greatest acts of heroism occur when it is the least known.

Job’s well meaning friends are telling him his problems are a result of his own sin. How many times have we may have heard that? As a parent, you can do everything right to the best of your ability and your child may still make the wrong choices. It is called free will. As a parent, we do not like free will for our children because we want to make sure they choose the Lord. Here comes the youngest.

We all need someone like Elihu. Someone who will jump in and be there for us. Remind us of who God really is. When we go through a problem, the reality of God can be distorted by our grief.

Galatians 6:2 ESV

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

We all get weak and we need each other. We need the body of Christ. In a short period of time, three families in our church have been hit with loss. We need each other. There are times in our life when we need someone like Elihu to step in and stand up for us.

How many times did we go through something very difficult and there was not an Elihu to stand up and walk with us? How alone and devastated we felt. Even in the midst of well meaning people who were very wrong even though they felt like they were in the right like Job’s friends.

Jesus Christ is the one who is always there for us when everyone else leaves.

Psalm 23:1–6 ESV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

shadow of death - depression, darkness (valley - lowest part)

rod and staff comfort me - rod here is referring to the one who rules which is Jesus Christ. The staff is to hold us up. The one who rules will hold us up. Praise God

table in front of my enemies - provide for me in clear view of those who would cause me harm

anoint my head with oil - protect-ant of the most crucial part of our body. Where the majority of our battles are fought.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

and shows we are chosen

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Conclusion:

Have you spoke well meaning words but they came out of your own evaluation of a situation? It was not something you prayed through first? Looking back, you know it was not inspired by the Holy Spirit? We have all done it with the best of intentions.

Or have you kept silent when you should have said something? You knew the Holy Spirit was urging you to say something but you felt intimidated or unqualified to speak at that moment?

Our heavenly father is wanting to stretch us and to grow us into the vessel He wants us to be. Sometimes that is very uncomfortable.

Dave Wilkerson was in New York and had his picture taken in a non-complimentary way. He was not happy about it, but God used it to open the doors to a greater ministry called Teen Challenge.

What if you have been hurt by well meaning people? Today, leave it at the foot of the cross. It is not something you can do on your own. You need the Lord’s help. Do not let it be a cement brick weighing you down.

Maybe you have never made Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour and experienced this freedom and new life. Today is your day. Today is the day of salvation.

Jesus has already done the hard part and He makes it as easy as knowing your A, B, C’s. A - Acknowledge

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B - Believe

Acts 16:31 (ESV)

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

C - Confess

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.