Dear…
They asked each other, were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?
Luke 24:32
My heart was pretty serene, much as the late afternoon sun was pretty searing at 34 degrees, as I embarked on a pretty long walk yesterday. Time alone, yet not alone for the Spirit of God walks with me, as I took time to savor the beauty of His creation, and time to worship Him even as I meander along the quietness of a late afternoon.
When our hearts are open to the Lord, He speaks to us.
And I was reminded of this famous road trip that the two disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ embarked on, with the memories of the crucifixion and reported resurrection of Christ fresh in their minds. Unsettled they were, and hurried they must, in their desire to reach the village of Emmaus. A good 11.26 km walk, a mite longer than the close to 10km I had started on.
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing Him.
Luke 24:15-16
Why did not the two disciples recognize our Lord Jesus Christ, as He joined them on the journey?
Is it because Christ by His divine powers ensured that they could not recognize Him?
What about us who have come to the faith but yet seem not to know the Lord our God? Is it because Christ did the same to us?
Or this non cognizance of Godś presence in our lives attributed to our hearts and minds being distracted by the things of the world, not unlike the disciples who were too caught up with the earth shaking events that had recently occurred in Jerusalem, as well as their desire to reach their destination of Emmaus?
They asked each other, Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?
Luke 24:32
Since the day God lifted the veil upon my heart 19 years back, I know and have experienced His loving presence always. The times I felt His absence is when my heart is distracted either by the worldly pleasures or pressures. But when I make the time to enter His rest, He is always there, for God is faithful much as we often are not.
God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.
Exodus 13:17
The Israelites went on one of the longest, if not possibly the longest mass walking trip in human history. And scenic the desert might be for some, the elements were pretty harsh.
And while the tropical weather in Singapore might not be as intense, at 34 degrees it was not exactly a walk in the park. Yet in all His grace, our good Lord provided a path for me that was in the main, shaded by trees, and when in the open, a patch of ominous dark cloud that kept the sun away, and a cool breeze that helped fan me down.
How can one not be worshiping our Lord with a grateful and joyful heart that He takes care of us, even as we seek after Him.
Trudging along the long meandering paths I will still have to. But our good Lord walks not just with me, but He provides, even as He knows that it is a journey I need to take.
And indeed, when life does not seem dandy, it is because God is refining and preparing us, not for the conclusions our finite understanding seeks, but for time with Him in eternity.
The Daily Bread (Friday 13 Nov 2020) had this headliner
When God Speaks
And asked this question
When was the last time you saw God at work? How have you received Godś love through the words He has declared
In my walk yesterday, harsh as the weather was supposed to be, I experienced Godś love at work, and my spirit sensed His loving care, even as I seek Him with all my heart.
From a very hot late afternoon, as I neared the end of my walk, the clouds turned even more ominous, but I know God will provide.
Indeed, there was a sprinkling of rain, just as I entered a sheltered section, and in all brevity, the rain ceased and I could complete my journey exposed to the elements that have now turned more benign.
Would I be as thankful should this perfect rendition not occur, and instead, I find myself broiled like a fish in an open fire, only to be soaked like a wet salmon in the unexpected sudden downpour? I believe I will because I have experienced the elements and know that in all circumstances, Christ is always with me and He provides for me His way, not mine.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
13 Nov 2020
An afterthought - Road to eternity(16th Dec 2020)
And I go and prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with Me that you may also be where I am.
John 14:3
Time to enter eternity seems forever far away that few consider taking time to prepare or even ponder upon it.
Yet, a dear friend in passing on yesterday, found himself at that door.
And it saddened me thinking he does not know our Lord.
But today I was overjoyed to hear that he accepted the saving grace of our Lord in the few days before he left.
He was and will continue to be on this mailing list, something I am thankful for that he, a non believer, in the past 15 years never asked to be excluded from allowing me to share my journey with our Lord.
Now I know that my mail will be going to not just the correct address, but read by a newly minted brother in Christ.
16 Dec 2020
