May I Be Thy True Disciple, At All Times
(Alvena Khoo, Pastoral Team Member, Discipleship & Nurture)
READ:
Malachi 4 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Malachi 4, the last chapter of the book of Malachi and also of the Old Testament. The chapter contains strong warning of the judgment that is to come as well as the deep assurance of salvation for those who are righteous to the Lord. The righteous are those who fear the Lord. They are His treasured possession, the faithful remnant as stated in Malachi 3:1-18. The Lord assured them that He will spare them from judgement and total destruction.
The Lord reminded His people to observe and remember the law of Moses, assuring His people that He would send someone before the day of the LORD. Just as He had sent prophet Elijah.
These were the “last words” people heard from the Lord. God went “silent” for the next 400 years, the intertestamental period. We understand from historical records that the world was not that silent during this intertestamental period. Various great empires rose and fell.
APPLY:
As we celebrate our Church anniversary this week, both looking back at God’s blessings in our past, and When I was a young believer, I never understood the reason for God’s silence and also wondered about the violence recorded in the Old Testament. I do find it hard to reconcile how this loving God could be both so “near” yet so “far”. What about the days where He does not answer my prayers and seems too silent?
As I journey along in my walk with Him, I begin to understand His heart a little more and trust grows as I see His hands at work in people and situations. It is also through too many coincidences where the Word of God speaks directly to my situations, or even through signs and wonders that I can only be assured of His loving presence. Many a time, all He requires of me is to turn to His Word, be on my knees, obey His commandments, or simply to sit by His feet. There, I will find Him.
Having gone through several big life transitions in 2021, I noted several moments where my heart wavered, my mind wondered too how certain episodes could be resolved. How will I have enough resources to pull through? In those moments of despair, my soul told me, just be faithful, just trust in God alone. Not all situations were resolved right away nor prayers answered instantly. God seemed to still be “silent”. However, there was immediate unexplainable peace and assurance. This peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)
Being God’s faithful and true disciple, one who reveres His name (Mal 4:2), one who deserves to be called His “treasured possession” (Mal 3:17), is a call for all times and situations. It does not depend on the condition of our hearts, nor our ups and downs in life.
God seems silent in certain situations but He is never absent.
A call to be His true disciple at all times simply because He is the great I AM. His way is perfect, His word is flawless. (Psalm 18:30)
DO:
I will be His true disciple by:
- Turning to His Word daily;
- Praying at all times;
- Doing His will always;
- Sitting by His feet regularly.
PRAY:
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word. I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord. Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son. Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one*.
Grant me grace, to be Thy true daughter, Thy true disciple. Amen.
*words from ‘Be Thou My Vision’
