
The evil wind I have been describing is not a new phenomenon. In fact it first turns up in the oldest book in the Bible.
In Job we read about how Satan sent an evil wind and how Job’s children were all killed when their house “gave way” (Job.1:18,19) Not only did Job loose his family but he also lost his wealth and his health, all that we hold dear in this life.
However we also read how Satan was only able to do this because God gave him permission. He’s like a dog ……on a leash held by God, or as one of my friends puts it. “He’s only middle management.” In other words he is only able to do what he has been given permission to do by our Father God whose essential nature is love and who is also all knowing, all seeing and all wise In other words he knows where we are at, knows where he wants to get us, and knows how to best get us there, by allowing adversity through the Adverary into our lives. God uses the evil wind for his good purposes.
Proverbs 19:23 says “The fear of the Lord leads to life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
This does not mean that trouble will not touch a man who fears God, but that when a man who fears God is touched by trouble it will not destroy him, it will define him because of the way in which he chooses to respond’ ……..as a VICTOR not a VICTIM.
Job’s wife who took offense on his behalf wanted her husband to play the VICTIM role.
“Curse God and die.” She said.
But he would not cave in to self pity, and to FEAR of what else the future might hold, refusing to complain, he said,
“Shall we receive good from God and not receive evil?” (Job.2:10)
Next he was tested by his, so called “Comforters” who were anything but true “friends” as they piled on the CONDEMNATION, telling Job he was being punished by God for his wickedness.
Again Job asserted his trust,” Though he slay me, Yet will I trust in him.” ( Job 13:15)
The debate went back and forth for 40 chapters!….. but in the end God intervened, lifting Job to a whole other plane by giving him a transformative spiritual revelation.
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5)
I believe that revelation was a vision of the cross, where Job saw the son of God, the spotless Lamb who had never been touched by evil, bearing the suffering that had come from that evil, that had stalked not only Job’s life, but the life of every man, woman and child, who has ever seen the light of day.
Grace through faith is imparted to Job as he emerges from this fiery trial cleansed and whole, his house now no longer built on the sandy foundation of his own words and works but on the solid rock of that PETER revelation of the finished work of The Lord Jesus Christ, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”……. ‘who was slain from the foundation of the world.’ ( Jn.1:36. Rev.13:8)
Someone has said that a religious man spends his life trying to avoid hell, a spiritual man is one who has been to hell and back
Last week we listened to Jordan PETER-son being interviewed by his daughter, Mikhaila about his last year. It can only be described as a journey to hell and back. It was the testing and (im) proving of a spiritual man who has also chosen the path of VICTORY over VICTIMHOOD. After listening, my respect for him (them) grew enormously!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLWgVpmo1e0
The fruit of Job’s suffering was that he was then able to be an immense benefit to his friends. Instead of saying the prayers of a religious man, as he had done at the beginning of the story he had become a true intercessor carrying in his person the power and authority of his suffering Savior, the one who had chosen to become a VICTIM on behalf of all men in order that all men might share in his VICTORY over sin and death.
We have over the past weeks, and years watched our son Robin make the same journey.. As he has chosen to trust in the midst of loosing health, wealth and family, he has also been changed, growing in the wisdom from above…..
“……. first pure (morally and spiritually undefiled) then peace loving (courteous and considerate), gentle,, reasonable ( and willing to listen) full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without (self – righteous) hypocrisy (and self serving guile).”
Robin is now back with us in our Boston apartment so graciously provided by Father through the instrumentality of Hospitality Homes. It is perfect for our needs, spacious, centrally located and well equipped.
It is however sparsely decorated with just two pieces of art.

The first picture is of a sun rise through a wood just as we have over the past month, watched our son rise through a wood known as the Harvard Arboretum, wealthy in magnificent trees from every land..

The second picture is of wind and water.
In the 1800s Boston prospered as the iconic clipper ships were built and then blown from here full speed across the oceans, trading in the bounty of every land.
A second “cloister walk” our Father has given us here in Boston is around a small body of water called Jamaica Pond.
There, inscribed on an old wall that has stood the shaking test of time, writ in moss, I noticed this well worn but timeless wisdom…….in answer to that desperate appeal by the Psalmist when the foundations are being destroyed…………

We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sail.
This is what Jordan and Greg and Robin have chosen to do,
……not to look backwards with anger
nor to look outwards with bitterness
nor to look inwards with self pity,
nor to look forwards with fear
…… but instead
to look upwards with
faith,
hope
and love,
and allow that wnd that was sent
to blow them
Heavenward.
……wih a wealth and bounty gained
to bless every land
where the Spirit takes them
……with wisdom and comfort to offer those handling benzodiazepine withdrawal, war wounds or amputation.