– God Is With Us
BRD REFLECTIONS:
2 Corinthians 7 and Psalm 46 (NIV)
(Alvin Tay, LCEC Chairman)
READ:
Psalm 46 and 2 Corinthians 7 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Psalm 46:10-11 is one of my favourite Bible passages.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Yes, be still and know that He is God. And God is with us! (Psalm 46:7, 11). This is the assurance we have when we walk in obedience with God and do His purposes.
In 2 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul started the chapter with this verse:
1“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
These promises were spelt out in the final verse of the previous chapter (2 Corinthians 6:18) where Paul wrote: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
If we distance and purify ourselves from worldly values and idols, we are promised a closer relationship with God.
APPLY:
I used to be very stressed (aka kan cheong in Cantonese) whenever I handled major projects as I had to ensure that everything went as planned – usually my plan. Until I realised that God is with us, me included, and He can strengthen me. I can have the confidence that the same God exalted among the nations and in the earth is with me. I need no one else. His grace is sufficient for me.
Recently, I co-led a Missions team to Chiang Mai and Matthew 28:19-20 spoke to me.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20).
I noted the promise from Jesus: “And surely I am with you always.”
The Missions Team departed on 2 June and the BRD passage that day was Numbers 13-14.
Numbers 13 was about God asking Moses to send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which He was giving to the Israelites. A 12-member team spent 40 days in Canaan and they returned with a negative report. Yes, the land flowed with milk and honey. But the people who lived there were powerful and the cities fortified and very large.
Of the 12, only Joshua and Caleb were positive. Joshua urged the Israelites not to be afraid because God was with them.
“…..And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us.” (Numbers 14:9).
As we were preparing for the Missions Trip, we read news reports that Chiang Mai was the most polluted city in the world. We were concerned, of course, but the team prayed and rested on God’s promise that He would be with us. As it turned out, the haze was a non-issue when we were there. Yes, God was with us indeed.
When I was contemplating whether to assume the position of LCEC chairperson in September last year, Jeremiah 1 spoke to me, first through our BRD reading on 1 August, and the second during a silent retreat at Seven Fountains in Chiang Mai just days later. In both instances, God assured me that He was with me.
Jeremiah 1:8 – “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:19 – “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
DO:
In all that I do, I will pray and seek God’s presence first. For if God is with me, He will provide the wisdom and resources for me to do what He has prompted me to do. When I am overwhelmed by any project at hand, I will be still and fix my eyes on the Lord for direction. It is not about what I can do for God but what the Lord will do in and through me. He will empower me. I am but an instrument for His purposes.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, I confess that on several occasions I have tended to jump ahead of you, relying on my own strength. I also get anxiety pangs every now and then. Thank you for your peace when that happened. Help me to be still and know that you are God. May I always fix my eyes on you for guidance and walk in obedience with you. For you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Thank you for your assurance that you are with us, and hence we need not fear as we do your work. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
