Dear…
And the Lord, He is the One Who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, do not fear nor be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8
There was this Indian lady who happened to be on the bed next to my mum at the hospital.
A chatty and cherry soul. Bless her despite her many physical ailments. And one with a positive attitude despite being a childless widow, who lives on the edge of poverty.
She attributed her attitude to her late mother’s teaching and her faith in her god( a picture of which she carries on a sling round her neck) that she believes has blessed her with the kindness of family and strangers upon her life.
It leaves me wondering. As Christians, why do many often struggle to have the same joyful disposition and peaceful countenance, that God has promised to all who loves and seeks after Him?
With so little, this new friend of mine seems not wearied by her many burdens.
Yet for many of us professed Christians, our many provisions have weighed us down rather than uplift our very soul.
And strangely for most, at least for me in the past, the start of a New Year often brings with it a dread of what lies ahead.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.
Psalm 16:6
Thanks be to God. Much as the world is fallen, and man are born to troubles. Every day is not just a new day, but a blessed day for me. Not because I am insulated from the encapsulating darkness, but rather, I can and have the Light of God within me. A source of comfort and strength, and if we believe, the privilege of witnessing the grace of God at work in our lives and that of people He places in our path.
I will bless the Lord Who has given me counsel. My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me…
Psalm 16:7
In these early days of 2019, the beginning of the 7th year of my learning to totally depend upon our Lord, I sense His calling me to move from the stepping out of the past 6 years, to now stepping up.
What does it mean? I do have some inkling but I know our good Lord will show me if I am willing to wait upon Him.
You have tested my heart. You have visited me in the night…
Psalm 17:3
Two nights back, I had a vivid dream. A dream of 3 ferocious tigers cornering a bunch of people including myself in a theatrette. I saw myself in our point of desperation calling on everyone to join me in prayers. And in the midst of our despair and fear, our good Lord impressed upon my heart, a way out of our dilemma.
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that will all boldness they may speak Your word.
Acts 4:29
The year 2018 started on a positive note. Much as the feared shenanigans of President Trump persisted, the global economy was generally bullish and financial markets were vibrant.
Now as the world enters year 2019, we are possibly on the cusps of a bear market, and geopolitical tensions that could veer on the side of imploding into more than just fistfights.
Evil is not just more prevalent, but manifesting in increasingly unruly forms.
Be it
-in the unnatural sexual unions muscling its way into mainstream society, an affront to the Lord our God.
- the legalization of the tools of addiction and delusion as marijuana enters our mainstream food chain
-the selfishness as displayed by both sides of the US China trade war spat.
-the crossing of the realm between human and robots be it in AI, sex dolls, gene manipulation.
Man is once again building the Tower of Babel.
- the persecution of Christians as well as the manipulation of the very tenets of our faith by both the deviants in the States as well as the Communist party in China.
- the drumbeats of war as the 3 superpowers flexed my military muscles with increasingly devastating new weapons.
This is the season for Christians to not just know the truth, but to live and speak the truth. To be the lamps that stand boldly, for the light of God to shine forth, in the midst of the encapsulating darkness.
It will not be easy. For it requires
- Looking beyond our own needs. And at the onset of a new year, this is particularly stressful for many. But we can draw assurance from this oft quoted psalm at funerals, for us the living
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall now want.
Psalm 23:1
- the commitment on our part to be holy. I often struggle with my imperfect self.
..but as He Who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.
1 Peter 1:15
- The willingness to go where we have never been, in obedience to the Spirit’s leading The Lord had said to Abram, go from your country, your people, and your father’s household, to the land I will show you.
Genesis 12:1
As we end this first week of this brand new year. For most of us, the old fears and trepidations of what the new year holds have never left us.
Yet as children of the Lord our God, we can and must hold on to the belief that God has always provided and we are never found lacking.
In looking at God our Provider rather than His provisions, we can do what is within our control.
To seek Him and to do what pleases Him. Below are two verses that helps put me in perspective as we live out every new day
As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness.
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
Psalm 17:15
..I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.
John 17:4
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(5th Jan 2019)
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