Running the race #22 Manna (17nov08)

'Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow…'
Isaiah 1:17

Such thought of charitability would be naturally far off the minds of many, for when self is at risk, can we truly spare a thought for others? Yet, the Lord our God says that it is in giving that we will receive.

America has now placed its hope on Obama. Not unsurprising given his great communicative abilities, the freshness of youth, vigour and an electorate who desire change, for change always bring forth that glimmer of hope, especially in such dire times. The whimsical thought just struck me that the President-elect will be the 44th in office. Would the first 4 represent the death of the material riches that many have become addicted to. Does it portend 4 more bad years in Obama's first term in office? Would the 2nd 4 signal a 2nd term for the President and a time that many would willingly sell their souls in exchange for the old glory days of materialism? For 44 be it in Hokkien or Cantonese has the double death intonation. But add the two 4s together, we will get the digit 8, (prosperity in Cantonese). Would the future portend men's willingness to sell their soul for a recovery of their temporary wealth?

There is a season for every reason. In times of plenty, we have the prosperity theory, where many flock to both within and without the church for that ticket on the gravy train. In difficult times like now, many look for that valium of life to not just calm their nerves, but to bring sense to the senseless destruction in their midst. Theories and prophesies do a roaring trade, as deception thrives in the midst of fear.

So it is time for me to move on from my own sinful attempt at postulation and come to what is truly God's calling for all of us, ie to be like Him and not be Him.

'Or did the Word of God go out from you? Or did it reach only to you?'
1 Corinthians 14:36

Encouragement, assurance or even a listening ear is what many will need now and in the near future. Of course, it will not take away their many financial woes, but it is a good start. The Word of the Lord has blessed me in so many ways, and it is my desire to share His Words with all, as He leads. For His Words will not just edify, but clarify. It is manna for the parched souls in the present desert of their lives.

'Also it was I Who brought you up from the land of Egypt. And led you forty years through the wilderness……'
Amos 2:10

The Israelites of old, were groaning and moaning under the heavy bondage of their Egyptian masters. God took them out of that bondage, but after the initial euphoria, the Israelites were harking for the bad old days in Egypt, where in exchange for lousy food, they were subjected to even lousier treatment.

Many of us spent a disproportionate part of our lives chasing the temporal. Many more groan and moan and never found peace and joy in the midst of these pursuits. With the looming economic shakeout, many will no longer have a job to grumble about. And many will not have to worry too much about their wealth, for most of it would have dissipated. Cruel as it seems, these "important" matters are our present day Egyptian masters. We hate them, but we think we need them. God is not looking for starving Christians, but trusting and obedient believers. He has provided. We must recognize that and move on to a life of following as He leads, and not let our own understanding play the lead.

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those who are alive from the dead…..'

Romans 6:20

Like it or not, many of us are being moved out of the jungle of life, not into the Paradise we hoped for, but into the harsh desert, stripped bare of what till recently gripped our very hearts and souls. Do we continue to cling to the mammons of our past, which are no better than the mirages of the desert we are in, or do we now truly be prepared to surrender all and let God lead, as He surely will, just like in the days of old, a cloud in the day, and a fire in the night?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ….For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith as it is written. 'The just shall live by faith.'

Romans 1:16-17

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God'

1 Corinthians 2:12

As many begin to ponder upon the implications of a year ahead that could portend a new experience of near to abject poverty or at least a big gap down in their life-style, it is good to remember that God left the sinful in the desert for forty years. But despite the continued disobedience of His chosen people, God still provided manna to sustain them.

God will and has provided for all of us, even for those who did not realize or are willing to acknowledge Him. But the sooner we come unto Him, the sooner will He bring us out of the desert that we find ourselves in.

But letting go and letting God is a process. The sooner we start, the better it is for us.

'The days of our years are threescore years and ten, and if by reason of strenght they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

….So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, O Lord…'
Psalms 0:10-13

'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, but whosever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.'
Luke 9:24

God Blesses

Eng Hieang
(19th Nov 08)

Note
Everyone needs their respite. Guess in taking my break for the next 3 weeks in the land of plenty, ie America it will also give me a chance to truly see at ground zero, the present situation of the source of the world's present economic crisis. And now that all have a break from my meanderings, do stay prayerful, for to see the "clouds' and "fire" of God's leading, we must be willing to come unto His presence always.