Living A Life Worthy Of His Calling
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Exodus 23-24 and Psalm 68 (NIV)
(Karen Tan, CiC Facilitatator)
READ:
Psalm 68:34-35: “Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his power.”
Psalm 68:5-6: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”
Exodus 23:11: but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and olive grove.”
Exodus 23:13: “Be careful to do everything I have said to you.”
OBSERVE:
We witness in Psalm 68 a powerful and majestic God who can scatter His enemies and send His foes fleeing. And He gives that power and strength to his people. Yet in the same Psalm, we also witness the tender side of God – which is the nature of His heart. He is a loving God whose heart is with and for the fatherless, the widows, the lonely, and the prisoners (not necessarily those in a physical prison).
In Exodus 23, we see again how God sets laws forthe people of Israel – the laws of justice and mercy and the Sabbath laws – always with an intention of protecting and looking out for the poor (v6, 11), the innocent (v7), oppressed foreigners (v9), and the vulnerable (v12)
APPLY:
As I review my journey with God and what I am to do in the years going forward, the lessons learned in Companions in Christ are clear and vivid. I am to rely and lean on Christ as the Vine – for He is the source who can give power and strength to me. I am to avail myself to Him and He will open the doors to wherever He leads me, especially in areas involving people who are disadvantaged or in need.
DO:
1. Help with meal delivery to vulnerable seniors living by themselves in mature housing estates
2. Pray and listen attentively to where I can be more involved in the rural community and educational development works in Tana River, Kenya
PRAY:
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:17)
Father God, I pray that I take heed of Isaiah 1:17. Open my eyes to see You at work and ears to hear Your voice. May my heart feel what You feel for your people. Amen.
