Dear….
'…but the Word of the Lord stands forever.'
1 Peter 1:25
"Barbarians at the Gate - the fall of RJR Nabisco is a 1990s book about the leveraged buyout of the same namesake company. It is a percusor of the debt binge of our present day and about conflicting personalities, deceit and skyhigh egos, inherent human defects since the day Adam and Eve disobeyed God.
The hordes of Ghenghis Khan is an earlier version, when to the cultured European society of the rudimentary Renaissance period, it was quite discomforting to have the barbarian Mongol hordes breathing literally down their necks in Central Europe, and if not for the sudden death of Ogedei Khan in 1241A.D., the son of Genghis Khan, maybe Mongolian instead of English, could have been the lingua franca of our present world.
'And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes, for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.'
Nehemiah 6:16
Gates of a city are not just a symbol of sovereignty, but a very real entrée to overcoming the resistance of one's decided prey. Gates today play a less signficant role, with the advent of modern warfare and its new fangled technology, but as defence experts will tell you, hardware is important, but it is the gates to the hearts and souls of the combatants that matters as much in battle.
The Isrealites of old under Nehemiah spent a fair bit of time and under duress from their enemies, in repairing and rebuilding the gates and walls of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by their conquerors, the Babylonians. The physical was rebuilt, though it was still a conquered land, but what was more significant was their standing firm upon the promise of God and how God ensured that their tasks was completed, much to the chagrin and instilled fear of their detractors who truly knew that God was with them.
'…God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth…..Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.'
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
Today, many of us still will not consider the possibility of the existence of a God who loves us. We keep our gates tightly shut to the outstretched hands of God, and rather deal with a god or gods that meet our perceived desires or that fit our finite understanding. It is understandable. The gate to our hearts is a multi-layered, thicker than thick wall and if we continue to use our own understanding as the gatekeeper, then no man can bring about that enlightenment. But God can but we must want to come unto His presence.
'…that in latter times some shall depart from their faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.'
1 Timothy 4;1-2
And what about those who are blessed to have the light shine forth into the darkness of their hearts, there should be no longer any barriers to our 'seeing and following" Him? Yet reality is, many professed believers still keep a gate in their hearts that is a swinging gate, it opened and then shut back up. Did you truly believe when you profess your faith? And if you did, why would you be more interested in or more concerned with the distractions of the outside world then in the leading of the Holy Spirit within you?
'Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it…'
Matthew 7:13-14
As I ponder upon my own journey with God, it is indeed very difficult to want to keep to the straight and narrow path. The devil's world is a one size fit all, with a wide open gate, where everything goes including one's soul. But to be like Christ, we have to want to be molded into His likeness, for there is only one way to Heaven, which is, to be like Christ. It is impossible to tame the sinful nature within us, by our own strength, but if we are willing to let God enter the gates of our hearts, all things are possible. And will we continue to be willing to let God help us shut out the temptations of the outside world and be prepared to stay within the presence of the Lord our God, even when life seems even more challenging?
'Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.'
Colossians 4:6
Today, even as we seek to follow our Lord Jesus Christ, we will continue to be buffetted by life's challenges and distractions, I am reminded of the need to curb the inherent carnal or you could say barbaric instinct in me to deal with issues my way. But repress such carnality I cannot, yet I need not regress to my former sinful self, if I truly live out what the Lord has shown us, which is to
- acknowledge God's Sovereignty in our lives in all circumstances
- seek the Lord always and much as we want Him to hear our prayers and supplications, it is good to listen to what the Lord has to say
- thankfulness in all situations will allow us to look at things from God's perspective, and not be blindsided by the potent mix of our own self-deceit and the devil's wiles
- to honour Him always, much as our carnal self might desire to the contrary
'For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
These things command and teach.'
1 Timothy 4:10-11
Does it work? Music calms the beast in us. Time with God, and being faithfully atuned to God and in tune in our actions with Him will truly allow us to testify to His faithfulness, for God has never failed the faithful.
We only fail because we failed to trust and obey our Sovereign God.
'And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, Who liveth for ever and ever…..Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.'
Revelations 4:9-11
Rgds and God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(16june09)
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