– Surrounded And Overwhelmed
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Corinthians 13 and Psalm 142 (NIV)
(Philip Yuen, APC Zone Leader)
READ:
The words in 1 Cor 13 & Psalm 142 called out to me in
1 Corinthians 13
v6: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
v7: It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Psalm 142
v2: I pour out before Him my complaint; before Him I tell my trouble.
v3: When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way.
OBSERVE:
Reflecting on David’s desperate dilemma in Psalm 142, I recalled my childhood days being surrounded and overwhelmed by hatred, and angry rowdies from Chin Nam Street just because I used to hang out with classmates, members of the Hock Lam Street urchins, their sworn rivals. On one occasion, one of the Chin Nam Street gang members took the hot coffee which I had just bought, and splashed it on my shirt!
At that moment the teaching of my Sunday School teacher, Henry Khoo, reminded me, v6 that ‘love does not delight in evil’…and v7 ‘It always protects…’
Surely, as in Psalm 142 v2, I can ‘pour out before Him my complaint’. It was so reassuring then and even after experiencing many trials in life, v3 holds true for ‘when our spirit grows faint within me’ our God Almighty will always ‘watch over my way’.
While our immediate and recent troubles are real and threatening, we know we are surrounded and overwhelmed always by God’s love. We can claim His promises now!
APPLY:
After attending Christmas functions at my home and Boys’ Brigade events, a few members of these two rival street gangs attended Sunday School together and joined the Boys’ Brigade! Hallelujah!
Knowing God’s ever faithful love for me, I am always grateful that in my desperation, Jesus has surrounded and overwhelmed me by His love through His everlasting presence and provision!
DO:
When I reflect on my various trials, big or small, at home or at work or even within the Church communities, I know and trust that Jesus is ever present and loves us and He is ever faithful!
So, I am determined to listen for His peace, guidance and directions amidst the chaos and continuous noise of the world through diligently spending meaningful Quiet Time with our Saviour.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, I recognize that all I have come from you as you are our Creator God. With much gratitude I thank you for the precious gifts, talents and opportunities to serve in the various ministries in the Body of Christ.
You have taught me today in 1 Cor 13:2b that whatever I have done and are doing ‘but do not have love, I am nothing’. Again in v7 you reminded me that love ‘always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres’.
Therefore as I have asked and received God’s awesome grace and mercies, I too lift up my Brothers and Sisters who are like David in Psalm 142, crying out and feeling that ‘no one is concerned for me…’ v4a, that they too will feel the assurance that God has surrounded them with His overwhelming love to meet their needs. Amen!
