Encouragement

Taken from Yina's blog

On a sudden whim, or perhaps a nudging from the Spirit, I asked Mich Lee if I could visit her church today. (Thanks Mich!) The Bible Church is an hour away in Clementi by bike+train+bus compared to the convenient 15 min bike ride to Woodlands EFC, but well worth it today. We sang 6 very powerful hymns, including the classics "To God be the Glory" and "How Great Thou Art", and it was quite an experience to hear the congregation's collective voice swell to a great volume. I was very moved by the music - could imagine my soul lifted up and reaching upwards to God. The worship leader said: "As you sing this hymn [How Great Thou Art], ask yourselves what makes your soul sing.."

Right before confession time we sang this particular hymn, and by the time we reach the second chorus, all of a sudden I knew that God had placed me right there in that santuary for this moment, for Him to speak gently and encouragingly in my ear.

Be Still my Soul
Verse 1:
Be still my soul, be still my soul
Cease from the labor and the toil
Refreshing springs of peace await
To troubled minds and hearts that ache

Chorus 1:
Be still my soul God knows your way
And He will guide for His name's sake
Plunge in the rivers of His grace
Rest in the arms of His embrace

Verse 2:
Be still my soul be still my soul
Though battles 'round you rage and roar
One thing you need and nothing more
To hear the whisper of your Lord

Chorus 2:
Be still My child I know your way
And I will guide for My name's sake
Plunge in the rivers of My grace
Rest in the arms of My embrace

Even though I feel unceremoniously tossed from country to country, uprooted and flung about like a weed in a monsoon thunderstorm; even though family troubles weigh me down like the muggy air that does not go away; even though the future seems impossible and uncertain, God reassures me that he "knows the way", He "will guide" despite my bumbling fumbling manners.

And yet it's not in the words of the song, nor the words of Scripture that we've heard a thousand times: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Jesus) But the living Spirit that moves in those words and in the intangible chords of the music melts our hearts and gives us peace. In that moment God poured refreshing life into me, and my soul listened to Him.

And then this very bombastic and exuberant preacher named Mr. Peter Chao came and gave an amazing message about the "components of worship". Towards the end he said (something to the effect of): "Let us stop having such august faces, as though we're having a funeral service, as though God is dead. Our God is alive! And He breathes life into every hopeless situation." :) So even though my heart aches for a million things right now, and I'm painfully aware of a mugginess of life here in Singapore, I am humbly and joyfully thankful for the hope that Jesus brings.

Good ol' bumbling Samwise says in the Lord of the Rings (movie): "This shadow, even darkness, must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, i do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something. "

Frodo: "What are we holding on to, Sam?"

Sam: "That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for."

Preparing for Goliath

1 Sam 17:34
"But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."'

---

David had been prepared for greatness by his experiences as a shepherd boy, faithfully discharging his duties and responsibilities to his family. God had been at work, preparing his heart and his spirit for the task ahead. God does not thrust us into places that we are not prepared for, especially when we are called to do His work. The principle from David's life is fairly clear- having been accustomed to do the little things in life - guarding the flock - he had to deal with the lion and the bear. As a result, when it came to the big things, he was more than adequately prepared, physically and emotionally. He was strong, and he could keep his cool. Perhaps more importantly, David was fully confident about where his strength came from and who his boss was. David knew that GOd would be faithful, and that He would deliver Him from the most deadly of circumstances.

For us today, GOd is preparing us for work to do. He does not thrust into places we cannot deal with. Perhaps that is how we should approach our current sufferings, difficulties and struggles. Whilst others may fold over and lapse into self pity, let's remind ourselves that GOd might be preparing us for big things ahead. This is not to say that everything is predestined and predetermined then- it's simply a way of approaching the difficulties, which we are told, will produce perseverance and character.

When GOd wants you to face your Goliaths, He will have prepared you with lions and bears first.

Thought of the Day: What is God preparing you for today?