
Nahum Chapter 1 - Comfort or Wrath?
Though the wrath of God is great and fearsome, He comforts the penitent who takes refuge in Him.
|
3 min read
Though the wrath of God is great and fearsome, He comforts the penitent who takes refuge in Him.
|
3 min read
Our most important work is to pray for the people of God.
|
3 min read
The Bible is stained with the sins, transgressions, atrocities, weaknesses and failings of Godās chosen. God neither censors nor minces His words in communicating to His believers the swift and exacting nature of His sovereign righteousness in His timely response to wickedness. During the infancy of our faith, the understanding that the only way that leads to eternal life in Christ is narrow and therefore, hard to find and difficult to walk on, is cemented into our minds. As we grow in stature (and by Godās grace, in some wisdom and in favour with God and man), we learn the harsh reality of this truth. The world and everything it can offer presents us a broad shiny platter of options, tempts us with the illusion of choice, human rights and free will. These options are disguised as alluring, multisensory experiences, and irresistible desires that easily appeal to our pleasure, comfort, and self-gratification-seeking nature. So much so, sometimes, we unwittingly let our guard down, cave and give in, even when those decisions are in clear and direct conflict with our better discernment, with what God requires of us. When we come to our senses, perhaps nudged back to Godās truth by His Holy Spirit, our perspective of the efficacy and sincerity of Godās forgiveness of our wrongs starts off skewed, just like the Israelites, contingent upon the complexity of physical atonement. But God has never wavered in His terms and conditions; a big ask in so few words ā all He requires, as strict and precise as they come, is for us to, against false gods and all other odds, wholly fear and obey Him. Nothing can come between God and His almighty judgements. Can we thus, like such, come before our LORD? May God keep our hearts and hope grounded in His everlasting way.
|
2 min read
More than two thousand years ago, He was born on earth; Soon, Heāll be returning.
|
2 min read
Despite the failings of Godās people as detailed in earlier chapters, Micah 4 opens with a victorious image of God as reigning over the nations. Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lordās house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. Throughout the past few chapters, Judahās human leaders, both political and spiritual, were rebuked harshly for their evil deeds. Yet in contrast, the reign of God brings about a state of peace. Rest. Protection. We see the imagery of this peace through the instruments of war changing into instruments of agriculture, and a quiet rest under the fruits of oneās labour. Even the ālittle onesā in the nation will be cared for under Godās reign. Those whom the human rulers have abandoned, abused and taken advantage of, God will take them in and make them a strong nation. But this victorious era has yet to come for the people of Judah. Instead, they were facing a devastating tomorrow. One where the threat of the Babylonian exile lies on the horizon. However, God remains merciful and once again comforts His people that this is all part of His plan. That their true King has not abandoned them (Micah 4:9). Today, we may find ourselves growing weary, as we face the evil around us. Whether it be hatred, backbiting, idolatry, lewdness, drunkenness, etc. (Gal 5:19-21). With such growing evil, the future may seem likewise bleak. But if we let God reign in our life, we can be blessed! For example, the long draining work hours at the office doing repetitive tasks all for the hope of a promotion can become a meaningful mission to preach the gospel and shine as Godās light. Even suffering under a mean boss can become much less dreadful as we hold onto the hope that our King loves and will avenge the ālittle onesā in His nation. Only, the question lies in whether we have let God reign in our lives.
|
2 min read
Are our eyes inclined towards the word of God? Or itching to satisfy our desires?
|
3 min read
A look at how anger can uncover our own inconsistencies.
|
2 min read
āFor this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.ā (1 Tim 2:3-4). Jonah Chapter 3 records a classic example of this exact sentiment. It records the story of prophet Jonah preaching to the people of Nineveh, and the repentance of Nineveh. When looking at the story of Ninevehās repentance, there is a sense of comfort that we can find for ourselves. Just as God forgave the people of Nineveh when they were sincerely repentant, we also have confidence that God has the mercy to forgive us for our sins today if we repent with a sincere heart. We however should not grow complacent just because we think God will be merciful with us. Within this chapter, we see the lengths that the people went to in order to seek forgiveness from God. First, verse 6 records that the king himself mourned in sackcloth and sat in ashes. Verse 7 to 9 then record the decree made by the king, mandating fasting and mourning for all his people, driving them all to repentance before God. Take a moment to reflect on this, is this the state we want to reach before we finally turn to God? Although the people of Nineveh were ultimately spared, let us not be deceived, it was a sorry state that they were in. Furthermore, the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:26 that āif we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sinsā. Godās love abounds and His mercy is plentiful, but let us be careful never to take advantage of this love and mercy. Jonahās story also teaches us about how we should treat others who we ourselves may deem as sinful. The narrative of the Book of Jonah centers around Jonah refusing to preach to Nineveh due to his hatred for the city and his skepticism that its people would change. When we read the story of Jonah, we are quick to say that Jonahās attitude was not right. However, when we look at our peers around us, do we also unknowingly adopt Jonahās mindset? Are we quick to judge people? To fit them into certain labels and refrain from helping them in their faith? Something we must remember is that God desires all men to be saved. Every soul is precious in the sight of God. If this is the case, as servants of God, we must fulfill his will and try to save every soul regardless of our perception of them. All in all, we have received this gift of love and mercy from God. We ought to share this wonderful gift with others.
|
2 min read
Even in the depths of the sea, mercy can find us.
|
2 min read