Dear...
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.......And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.'
1 John 1:15-17
This morning, in church, the Lord placed the thought "wellness" into my heart, and He completed the words that will resonate around this word for today's sharing. Today's weather is hot, but as for me, since I returned from church, I have been lying flat out till about now. Not too sure if it is the weather, or just my recent active travels taking a toll on me, or it could be both plus a dash of food poisoning.
When a person is unwell, the lures of the world does matter a little less or is it still alluring for some, even if on their deathbeds?
Singaporeans have lately come to grief seeking wellness, with the unexpected and sudden closure of spas and other holistic centers. Younger Singaporeans who go clubbing are increasingly taking to not just drinks, but mixed with a cocktail of designer drugs, to get a high and possibly a sense of temporal escapism from their real woes.
And what about the rest of us. Either we are working very hard or investing intently with the common objectives of securing our financial future, much as it is temporal and death is the price of sin.
'And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees, and they encamped there by the waters.'
Exodus 15:27
God will provide and God has provided. For those of us who call ourselves Christians, ie believers and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. The manna and quail God gives to the faithful is indeed suffice for the day, but will we be willing to let go of the need to be of this world, with its lures and insecurities, and instead, seek to trust, follow and obey as the Spirit of God leads us in our daily lives?
'And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord Thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight,, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord that healeth thee.'
Exodus 15:26
Exodus 15:26 is a verse that God has placed very close to my heart these past few months. It is a verse that most uses, primarily the last line " for I am the Lord that healeth thee"
to remind and reassure those who are unwell. In my last sharing on Sundaysnippets#11 dated mar 14th, titled "play, not pray." The Lord used me to remind each and everyone of us that much as He can heal us physically or from whatever worldly woes that ail us, it is the spiritual healing that is of greater significance, for He is looking at eternity, much as men looked at the temporal. God also reminded all of us of the need to play out the roles and carry out the tasks that God will show us, and it is not just about us going to God with a shopping list of prayers. Prayers indeed will be answered if asked in His will, but we must seek to know God.
Exodus 15:26 is also the starting point from which a medical doctor based his book on, from what a friend who has read it eons ago told me just yesterday.
As one reflects upon Exodus 15:26, one is reminded of the sad reality of how easy it is for all of us to revert back to our old sinful ways, to go back to the Egypt of our lives, to be back in bondage, as we succumb to the challenges and distractions of this world. But it should not be, for God by the sacrifice of the risen Christ, has already brought us out of Egypt.
A generalization it might be, but clearly, many of our woes are a direct result of us reverting to our sinful ways and depending upon our own understanding or even the counsel of fellow men. God is Sovereign and we must learn to look to Him always in all situations, for only then will we avoid the diseases placed on those who regress to their Egyptian days.
Just a couple of days back, I found myself ensnared in some unexpected but quite distressing circumstances. Not of my own doing, my self righteous man states and the imperfect me will either want to hit back for the inequitability or/and wallow in painful emotional reverberations. By the grace of God, such actions did not come forth and such stressful thoughts did not hold its grip upon me too long. For I know that it is God Whom I must turn to.
And God is indeed good. He brought me to Psalm 46:1 ' God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.'
God also reminded me that He is not a tool that we picked off the shelf to sate our pain, but rather, we must truly learn to put all things aside and look to Him, to know His will.
'Be still, and know that I am God...'
Psalm 46:10
For the carnal us, in all situations, the first and immediate reaction is to deal with issues the way we see it. With God, we are often taught, and asked to take a few steps forward unto His presence. And what does God often tells us next. For me and I am sure for many of us who truly seek to honor Him, God will remind us to show love, much as it is difficult to.
'Do not rejoice when your enemy falls'
Proverbs 24:17
What is the command of God? To seek Him with our all and to love our neighbors as ourselves. God commands us to seek Him in all circumstances, for only then can we be able to love our neighbors, even the unloved. For us who have been blessed to have the veil in our hearts lifted, it is not the end all. God wants all to know and follow Him, and He wants to use us in His plans. He will bring about the increase, but are we willing to be used by Him to plant, water or even sow?
'And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him......'
Luke 24:31
Living out the commands of God in Exodus 15:26 does not mean that we will not fall sick or not have troubles in our lives, for we live in a sinful and fallen world. But we will have a peace and joy, that no arrows of the devil can ever destroy and God will always bring us forth, till the day Christ returns, or if He so decides to take us home.
' I form the light, and create darkness. I made peace and create evil. I the Lord do all these things.'
Isaiah 45:7
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(11th April 2010)
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