The utterly astonishing headlines that filled the media websites in the UK in the last 24 hours are epitomised in the one that appeared on the local BBC website yesterday, the anniversary of the launching of the divisive and duplicitous ‘Good Friday Agreement’ some twenty-six years ago.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson resigns after rape charge
The headline is inconceivable and overwhelming and it has left many in Ulster deeply shocked.
The Word of God states: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father,” Matthew 10:29. What that teaches us is the absolute sovereignty of God. Nothing happens that is not under His absolute control.
As I pondered the above news headline and the increasingly horrifying further revelations, such as that issued by the police which indicated that Mrs Donaldson has also been charged, my mind sought refuge in the Word of God!
Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife to face court on charge linked to his sex crimes case
The basic truth of our system of justice states that a person is innocent until PROVEN guilty, nevertheless the political career of Jeffrey Donaldson is over for there is really no come-back from such a situation, even if a court were to find him innocent!
As I pondered this distressing situation, there came into my mind a portion of God’s Word.
Here it is:
“Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” Amos 3:1-8.
This portion teaches that nothing, absolutely nothing, happens that is not part of the divine plan and purpose. I looked particularly at the words, “Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?”
The word ‘evil’ is not a reference to moral wrongdoing, for the Lord cannot author that, it being contrary to His nature and will; and though he permits it to be done by others, yet He never does it himself, nor tempts men to it. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed,” James 1:13-14.
The word “evil” carries the meaning of ‘distress’, ‘hurtful’.
I would just add three simple observations based upon the portion of God’s Word found in the prophecy of Amos.
1. The Lord is still ‘King and Head of the Church’ — He will not allow His Word to be breached by His people with impunity.
“You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities,” verse 2. What unspeakable privileges belong to those God has called to Himself in mercy!
Abuse of such privileges will bring retribution!
We do tend to think that because the Lord is not swift to mark iniquity we can be careless and give little heed to His laws! When we sin and there is no retribution, we are tempted to believe that we may continue doing that thing! That is misunderstanding God’s kindness and abusing His mercy. No good will come of that!
2. There have been occasions when the Lord shows His holy disapproval of sin amongst His people.
“For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world,” 1 Corinthians 11:29-32. The folly of the Corinthian believers was severely punished.
When that happens, He would have all of His people to take note and fear!
When the Lord struck Uzzah for his folly, it is said David was ‘afraid’! “And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?” 2 Samuel 6:6-9.
When Ananias, with Sapphira, sought to deceive the Lord, they were struck down by God. In a day of blessing, sin is most severely punished amongst those enjoying the mercy! “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things,” Acts 5:1-5. There was a realisation that God did not take sin amongst His people lightly!
Sadly, all too often that foolish notion takes hold of the hearts and minds of Christians!
3. The Lord would have His servants emphasise these truths for the good of God’s people.
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets . . . who can but prophesy?” verses 7-8.
He requires His servants to explain the matter should it happen! There is a tendency to silently ignore such an event as the intervention by God in the affairs of men to the exposing of sin. Yes, we are to avoid the error of the three ‘friends’ of Job and presumptuously pass harsh criticism on those so afflicted. The Lord was not pleased with Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, for they has misread the circumstances of Job and passed inexact criticism upon him. “And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends,” Job 42:7.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God,” James 1:19-20.
Such counsel is to be heeded today! God’s servants should be underlining these truths to His people in these dark times.
Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
30th March 2024