‘That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus….For he is our peace……’
Ephesians 3:12-14
The world around us seems to be increasingly disorientated. I took a quick scan of the earthquakes occurrences in this zappy Iphone application and it pretty sums up the reality that the ring of fire centered around the Pacific ocean is pretty vibrant. Not too sure if life is like one big jelly(as how the Kiwis who experienced the intense shaking in Christchurch describe it), but it does feel like we are standing on a wobbly water bed, and the cornucopia of natural disasters, job uncertainty juxtaposed with unreal asset price rises, and very real increase in cost of living coupled with a preponderance of illnesses and viruses does make one feel a little off center.
“I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.’
Acts 26:19
But peace and joy is what God promises and gives to those who seek Him with their all. But can one take the next step confidently, with our hearts and eyes focus on Christ the author and finisher of our faith, as the shaking intensifies? Christchurch is interesting, the infrastructure is in rubble, yet the people are steadfast in their countenance. Is that not what the church, that is, you and I the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ should be, for Christ is our Lord the Rock, much as the world shakes in greater intensity in the days ahead?
‘For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’
Ephesians 2:10
Being a faithful child of God does not mean that no storms will come our way. In fact, it is likely that we will be exposed to the elements of this sinful world in even greater intensity, as the devil rages against us, yet God is our shelter, God will journey with us. We are never alone, and God will deliver, He will transform us, He is Sovereign.
Deliver is what we the imperfect human hope that God will do for us, according to our need and wants. Transformation is what God has planned for us, much as we might not understand nor fathom His ways as yet.
‘……and He said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His eyes, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians, for I am Jehovah that healeth thee…’
Exodus 15:26
Lately, it pains my heart to commiserate with friends who are undergoing health issues or have loved ones who are going through the same. Would not the Christian faith gain more traction and believers quickly, if the faithful us, could just pray and God will bring about healing. Indeed the prayers of the faithful avails much, but is this truly the will of God?
‘…with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord….’
…..And all they that were about them strengthened their hands….’
Ezra 1:5-6
Man looks on the outward, but God looks into our hearts. Man looks for the temporal(our present life, our present needs and wants) but God looks at eternity for us(salvation or damnation?).
Without being judgmental like the friends of Job, who figured that Job must have done wrong to be in his present woes, it is not for me to be the judge nor should I be the proverbial Sinbad rubbing the magic lamp, for God to appear to answer any requests we so desire, but rather, if asked to pray for anyone, to ask God what is His will for that person.
Healing must start with our inner being, for our problems are often the manifestation of what we have not done right with God or it could also be that God is refining the “white” us to even “whiter,” for no man is perfect.
‘The sisters therefore sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. But when Jesus heard it, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God that the Son of God may be glorified thereby..’
John 11:4
There are times when one is miraculously healed, much as doctors deem it nigh impossible. And lives that witnessed such miracles do get transformed. But yet there are also many occasions, where the soul leaves the bodily shell, but beyond the emotional sadness, lives a deep conviction and assurance that God will place in both the departed and the surviving loved ones that God was there throughout this difficult journey, that God truly knows better and has indeed taken one’s dearest to a better place, a place where all who believed and seek the Lord will gather again in joyous reunion.
‘…Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. And even now I know that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again……though he die, yet shall he live…’
John 11:21-26
Be careful with what you ask for. If one were to reflect upon the many things that we have hoped for in our finite life to date, you will realize that many things that we pine for turned out to be quite a disappointment.
But when we learn to trust God and respond to His leading, much as we might not fathom nor agree with what seems to be against our interest or understanding, we will always be grateful that God never answered prayers our way, but His way, for His ways will always turn out to be much more wonderful than we can ever dream possible.
‘And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.’
1 Kings 3:14
This was the verse(an apt one) our good Lord brought me to as I asked Him as to what He would want me to pen this morning. Length of life is what most seek for, and yet there need not be a shelf life for all of us, for eternity in Heavenly bliss is what God promises to all who trust and obey. But the sad reality is most give their all to the temporal, and only truly pay attention to the fickleness of life, when troubles hit. And even then, God is still very much a genie in a lamp.
'There is a way that seems right to a man. But its end is the way of death.'
Proverbs 14:12
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(9th Sep 10)
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