'I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear; but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.'
Isaiah 66:4
Most things might start with good intentions, but with the passage of time, sinful vested interests ensure that whatever vestiges of honourable intent will only exist in name. Subsidies is a way of ensuring that the poor would have at least their basic needs be it food, shelter or education somewhat met. But like the welfare system of the West, abuses come forth and even without blatant abuses, the recipients become addicted to the handouts and society find it difficult to wean them off this dependency.
'Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things?'
Isaiah 66:8
The roaring '80s, most of us were privileged to be a party to what was an unprecedented rate of wealth creation in Asia, what procreation wasn't. The latter half of the '90s was one traumatic experience the aftemath of which lingered till just the past couple of years. The better part of this present first decade of the twenty-first century was a great time, for deflation did no damage to inflated egos.
But did anyone remember the days of the '70s? A time of great seismic shifts in the geopolitics of the world, with communism at its apex, with capitalists America in ignominious retreat from Vietnam. A time when the stag decided to linger a bit longer with the bear, resulting in an unholy union coined 'stagflation' and the bull was nowhere in sight. A time when US dollar deposit rates was higher than the high teens and Singapore dollar's present paltry 0.5% look distinctly disgusting when compared to the very rich 12% then.
'For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see My glory'
Isaiah 66:18
'Poker face" or more likely "ashen face" might be part of the common lingua franca of future Singapore when the casinos are up and running. But is not life already one big casino, where most do not think about the odds of what one breath away truly means in their context, and instead of getting ready for eternity, we channel our resources on the temporal. Life's a gamble, so goes the popular one-liner in some movies. And indeed it is a gamble, for almost all will lose if one does not know when to walk away from the table, or rather walk away from the wiles of the devil and look to God.
'….your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward His servants, and His indignation toward His enemies'
Isaiah 66:14
The world has indeed become not just a smaller place, but a world where emotions are channelled at mega speed and where thoughts can coalesce in greater uniformity irregardless of the constraints of time and space or even cultural differences.
The runaway prices of food,oil and other commodities might be a new experience for some, but it has historical precedence, in the 1970s. Even the main and bit actors of that best forgotten decade are reprising their roles, albeit with some updating to make them relevant for the twenty-first century. Vietnam the old nemesis of USA is possibly back to haunt the rest of South East Asia, when the domino theory was making the rounds and scaring the wits out of the capitalist minded, who fear the spectre of the tanks of victorious communist Vietnam steamrolling everything in its path. Today, it is not about Pham Van Dong, the ex-PM of Vietnam but about the shakier Vietnamese Dong. And of course, how can one forget the good old Mullahs of Iran and their nuclear solution. We might not be talking about nuclear energy but nuclear bombs as the means to bring to frution their own version of the 2nd coming.
And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me…….'
Isaiah 66:24
What about the mother of all bears, Old Mother Russia. Rumours has it that Putin got himself a new and younger wife in line with a revitalized Russia. Communists love symbolism. With oil and natural resources re-energizing a resurgent and confident Russian, America might no longer feel so lonely at the top being the sole superpower for the past decade and maybe, we are closer to the Biblical truths in Revelations when the hordes from the North(possibly Russia) invaded Israel and God's power was glorified in their destruction.
'Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be…'
Revelations 22:12
If our Lord Jesus Christ was to return today, a true believer will call it a privilege, but for others, it is something that they rather not be a party to, for they might not be ready. But like it or not, while the problems of the world might not be new, for like the new spangled financial products, underlying it is the same concept of greed and fear. But what is new, though one would not call it a breath of fresh air, is the intensity and speed of upheavals in our lives, that seem to come with greater regularity. The Bible says that the pangs of the sinful world will intensify as we move nearer the time of Christ's return. It is indeed good food for thought when the next tremor or upheaval hits one's life.
'We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair…..'
2 Corinthians 4:8
Being in this sinful world, even as believers, we will be a party to the storms that has and will buffet the disbelieving and soon to be even more disorientated world. But as believers, if our faith are properly anchored in the Lord our God, we might be buffetted but not overwhelmed and we will and others will see the grace of God in our lives, as He protects those who trust in Him. The disbelieving world will see His glory manifested in our lives. It is not about personal pride of place, but rather, God desires the world to know and accept His Sovereignty, God wants all to be saved.
'…..seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed'
Esther 10:3
There are so many things to be thankful to the Lord, be it in times of enjoying His blessings, or in times of refinement. In seemingly more difficult times like this, all of us would have the inevitable 'bruises' for none are perfect. Yet, if we look not at the bruises but rather on our bodily whole, you know that God has indeed provided. But like the 'good years' of Joseph's time, would we now be good stewards of God's provisions and be prepared to dispense them as He leads, knowing full well that God has and will more than provide?
'But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteh up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?'
'My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth'
1 John 3:17-18
Inflation is a new experience for many. Runaway inflation is a once in a lifetime trauma for the child of the 1970s, who rather not have any recollections. Men is never contented. It is just the nature of discontentment that will change. In good times, we look beyond the basics eg a meal at a restaurant compared to a meal at home. In times like this, for many, it could be just simply the availability of a meal to fill the hunger pangs.
'…This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me…'
Mark 7:6
What about those who are seemingly blessed to be on the right side of the class divide? Where the bite of stagflation is but still an ant's bite on one's purchasing power, compared to a bear size bite of an ever shrinking acorn size income for the vast majority of the population.
'For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God…..'
1 John 3:21
Contentment is thankfulness to the Lord in all situations. Stewardship is a total dependency upon the Lord our God, to do as He leads. If your heart condemns you not, for you have seek to live out your life the way that Christ showed by example, while is there still room for a lingering sense of disconcertedness in your hearts?
'And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight…'
1 John 3:22
God has indeed provided and His grace is suffice for the day. So why do I still sometimes feel a little sense of disquiet?
'Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy…'
1 Peter 4:12-13
And much as we prefer the utopic world, our lives must be lived on God's terms, not ours. And even if His world matches our perfect ideals, none of us are perfect
'And lest I should be exalted above measure though the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure…'
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness'
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
As a believer, knowing God is not a consolation prize compared to the riches of the world. It is the only goal of our finite lives. Being imperfect, discontented sometimes we might be, disconcerted possibly will be especially in such abnormal and trying times, but a true believer of our Lord Jesus Christ will never be disconsolate. For to be disconsolate is to have lost all sense of hope and with God, it will never be.
'I know, O Lord that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps….'
Jeremiah 10:23
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
#251 (11 June 2008)
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