The Light In The Darkness
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 20 and Psalm 25 (NIV)
(Ruth Tan, Assistant Zone 11 Leader, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Psalm 25 (NIV)
1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame…….4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.
9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
14 The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
20 Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.
OBSERVE:
Like David, many of us have encountered troubles in our lives. And as long as I live on earth, I will continue to face problems in life. Some are of my own actions; some due to false accusation; others are simply problems!
As I regard these trials and challenges as storms in my life, I am reminded of the Sunday School song “With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm.” How to smile at a storm? I want answers, help, justification and more.
The book of Psalms has all the answers. David repeatedly wrote about putting his trust and hope in God. He did not search for answers from anyone to solve his problems. He turned to God and took refuge in Him. David found comfort in the Lord, for God’s ways are loving and faithful to those who love Him and walk with Him. David feared the Lord and had a close personal relationship with God. He asked God to guide and teach him, so he could understand the Lord’s ways.
APPLY:
When I was younger, I did not understand this scripture: “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3. NIV).
Why consider problems as joy? Should I not pray for the troubles to be removed? But if life is without problems, I would not know how to fully trust the Lord and surrender all to Him.
As a little girl, I learnt the simple and easy understandable lyrics of my mum’s favourite hymn:
“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.
“Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil He doth richly repay; not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey.
“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
With each trial, I learn to let go and let God take control. I learn to thank the Lord for the opportunity to grow in faith, to be disciplined, to shine for Him so others may see Him working in and through me.
DO:
When I journey through a storm, I trust Christ Jesus is in the boat with me. I do not have to battle the storm alone. I focus my vision on the Lighthouse because there is hope, the light in the darkness. Christ Jesus will illuminate and guide my sail.
When the storms seem to be relentless, I will wait patiently in the Lord because His timing is always perfect, God is never late. Whatever the outcome of the storm, I will trust the Lord because God will never let me down. HE will keep me in perfect peace and bring me safely to shore.
PRAY:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the trials and tribulations that come my way. I know I can grow each day, as I let You lead. I know I am never alone, please hold my hand and walk with me through my troubles. Sustain and keep my faith stronger and deeper as I cling onto You. Even as I suffer, may it not be in vain, but for Your glory. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
