Dear…
'…that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man'
Colossians 4: 3-6
There are times when I am tongue tied, when faced with a desire to bless a friend whom God places in my path, at the point of their need, when truly only the knowledge of God's grace can be the source of all comfort for a parched soul. I believe I am more ready now, for my daily walk with a responsive God, who more than respond to a desirous heart, has left me with no room to doubt His omnipresence and love for all of us. But is my counterpart ready? Would he see what I see so clearly now, hear what I hear with the same resonance, the clarity of God's will?
'The fool says in his heart, " there is no God."
Psalms 14:1
A friend I met up with yesterday is no fool. He has lived a very successful life as an entrepreneur and by the general definition of man's finite understanding, is truly a good man with the right values. I have not seen him for 3 years, but was a little taken aback to see a person who though in his 70s, was in my mind at least in the past, always a trim and energetic person, where the vestiges of natural aging seem to be no deterrent to the strength of the mind.
The gentleman today has the look of death upon him, no doubt a result of a major illness not too long ago. He acknowledged the brevity of man's time on earth and has adjusted his lifestyle accordingly.
'So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief'
Hebrews 3:19
What makes us an obedient follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not about spit and fire, brimstone or doomsday judgement on the poor souls who we think need to be dragged, willingly or or more often, unwillingly from the abyss of damnation. It is about us, not them. It is about how we allow God to transform us, layer by layer, how God lovingly pry open the grip of the devil's tentacles upon our very hearts and soul, painful sometimes but always gainful.
As God transforms us, people around us will notice the change. As we stay steadfast, resting on the Rock our God, even as they feel discouraged, as we love, for God is love, even when they seemed incapable of giving or receiving love, God will transform them.
Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with a Sovereign yet loving God. Living our faith is not about the diagnosis of the people God placed in our lives and dispensing of human advice or the imposing of self righteous judgement that leads us to usurp God's sovereignty and lead us to sin. It is about encouragement, love, patience, kindness, perserverance, selflessness, peace and joy. It is not about doing great things, but rather, to allow the awesomeness of God to work through us, in all things, big or small.
'…Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know'
Job 42:3
Having sprinted quite fast in extolling the joy I feel in knowing God, this verse in Job 42:3 quickly brings me back into perspective. It is never possible for anyone of us to express in words or in whatever manner that our finite capabilities can allow us, that indescriable joy and peace of the on-going communion with the Lord our God. It has to be experienced by yourself, by being willing to come into the presence of our God, by believing and obeying His will.
'But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him'
Hebrews 11:6
Is this possible? And this brings me back to my reticent moments when faced with a situation of dire needs of a non-believer, where I know the solution, but how do you move the person into the Lord's presence? Thankfully, it is not about me, nor you, but God. And with man, things are not possible, with God, all things are more than possible.
'But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the Ark. And knew not until flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.'
Matthew 24:37-39
To be afflicted early in our finite lives is a blessing, rather than a curse. For without pain, very few would pay attention to the call of our Lord. And much as we value the things of the world, it is our soul that is truly at stake, for mortal life is temporal, damnation in eternity is for real. And would you rather be caught with your pants down literally, when the Lord return and you are not clothed with the the God given righteousness.
Yet, truth would seem inhumane, no matter our good intentions, when ministered incorrectly to a suffering soul, whose mindset has not come fully into the presence of God and I have learned that often, it is how we live our faith, that will give us the right to just be there to be the shoulder of choice, to an afflicted heart that is starting to consider making that tentative but important step into the presence of God.
'While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease'
Genesis 8:22
'I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient time, what is still to come'
Isaiah 46:9-10
Like the seasons, economic cycles will come and it will go. It will repeat itself, though just like the weather, the word unprecedented would become a more common watchword in the overall constant behaviour.
And so if it is any reassurance for the financially harrassed in such difficult economic times, when beside Fannie and Freddie, we could soon see many more gilt edged investments join in the dismal party of asset destruction, the knowledge is that till our Lord Jesus Christ returns, as promised, the proverbial Pheonix of hope and growth will continue to rise from the ashes of destruction that the world is now undergoing.
'For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble……………..'
Malachi 4:1
Upheavals in our lives, do bring life changing lessons for the willing and repentant. Many a roaring bull in greedy times have learned to lick their wounds and come out wiser in their financial investments and general outlook towards life. Of course, some never learned, like the proverbial stain on the white washed cloth that never disappears despite countless washes.
But how many more upheavals do you need to truly want to pay attention to the call of the Lord our God. God is patient, God is love. But just like a marathon, the race has to end. God has also set a time when He will return and judge the world. It could even be now as you finish reading this. But till He returns, you have the God given right to accept the salvation that He gave to all, to be the child He wants you to be, on Earth and in eternity.
'The unfolding of Your words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple'
Psalms 119:130
The gospel is the power of God expressed, to the believer. All of us are familiar with the notion of first mover advantage. With the Lord, it is never too late to turn to Him, at least for now, till He returns. So even if you find yourself like Job, brought down to earth very hard and wallowing in misery, do take this time to ponder upon what truly holds your heart.
'And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes…'
Job 2:8
And suppose you are blessed to have seen the light and truly wants to be right with God. The Lord reminds me and you about how we should live our lives, come what may
'He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?'
Micah 6:8-9
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
16 Jul 2008
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