8-1-2015

Good Morning All!!

            Job 17:1; “My spirit is broken; my days are extinct; the graveyard is ready for me.” 

          It was one of the worst events in World War II, yet few Americans knew much about it.  It occurred towards the end of the war and the announcement did come until after the war.  For most Americans, the first they truly heard of it was in a 4:30 minute monologue in the movie “Jaws” by the character Quint.  He told of surviving the USS Indianapolis.

    The USS Indianapolis delivered the parts of the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima.  On the return trip it was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.  The original crew was 1196, about 300 went down with the ship and about 880 were in the ocean.  It took 3½ days before the navy even knew the ship was sunk.  During that time, while the men floated in the open sea, they suffered from hypothermia, dehydration, salt poisoning, starvation, the delirium that these conditions bring on and sharks.  After the men were spotted, seaplanes came to rescue them.  Each plane would land pick up a few and take off and the rest of the men were left to wait amidst the sharks, the dead, and the hopelessness.  Only about 317 survived.  In the movie, Quint says waiting for his turn was the only time he was frightened.  He didn’t know if the shark or the plane would come first.

    While most of us will never face a shark attack after our ship sunk, we do experience that same level of fear and hopelessness.  That is what our verse expresses; here it is by Job but it is expressed by others in the Bible and throughout human history; maybe even by you.  This truly is evidence of the devil and his incredible desire to torment torture and attack you at every turn.  When he gets a toe hold, he is ruthless.  Have you had a very painful experience?  The death of a loved one, the breakage of a marriage or within in your family, perhaps you struggle with some addiction,  or it may be that you committed some sin that is very embarrassing; there is something that the devil has convinced you is the shark while you float through life.  The devil wants you to think that you are surrounded by sharks and that there is no help, no hope in sight. 

    Yet the truth is that God has already rescued you; you are on the plane!  The devil cannot send those sharks; he can only plant worry, fear and doubt.  He can point to past struggles or even current troubles and call them sharks but God calls them guppies.  Jesus conquered sin, death and the devil so you will have hope.  We have God’s promise of salvation, of comfort and of his eternal presence in our life.  No matter what we have done in our past; God assures our future.  We are never separated from his love or comfort.  We never face the sharks for we are always safe in his loving arms.

Father, when I feel fear and hopelessness you are there to comfort me.  Keep me in the knowledge of your love and secure in your hope.  Gracious Lord, there are many who are hurting, who feel lost at sea.  Bring them comfort, bring them hope.  Heal their pain and drive the demons which circle them.  Save them, gracious Lord.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret