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Bible Reading: Exodus 33

“Now, therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight” (Exodus 33:13)

2021 is soon coming to a close. What is in our minds at the end of this year? Have we taken time to reflect on what has happened this past year, and have we surrendered our lives to God once again for the new year if that day will come by God’s will? In the midst of all your busyness at the end of this year, plus the addition of all this covid havoc, please take time to be still and meditate before God on all the things He has done for you this year. 

Ask yourself these two questions before God. Firstly, has God led my life this past year? Secondly, have I grown to see His glory this past year? Ponder about how God has led your life and how He has given us spiritual growth over this past year. Ultimately, we have to ask ourselves, have we found favour in God’s sight? 

If we can testify to God’s goodness and faithfulness over this past year, then praise God! But just because God led us through this past year, that doesn’t mean that God will surely lead us in the next. In Exodus 33, Moses had reached a pinnacle moment in his personal and Israel’s communal walk with God. God had valiantly led them out of slavery in Egypt. God had set His people free so that they could worship Him in the wilderness. Yet, because Israel was a stiff-necked people who made idols to replace God, whom they quickly forgot about, God said He would no longer go with them. 

To this, Moses prayed in intercession. His plea for the future consisted of two petitions on the basis of God’s promise. God promised that He knew Moses by name and that Moses had found favour in God’s sight. God reaffirmed this from His mouth in verse 17, “this very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name”. Yet, Moses wanted God’s promise to be his felt experience in the coming future. Therefore, he petitioned, “please show me your ways that I may know you” so that he could experientially know God’s favour for Him. 

As we face the new year, may this be our prayer also. Pray that God may continue to show His clear leading in our everyday lives. God is leading us if we are growing to know Him and see Him in His glory. So, we must pray that we may know Him more and more. All in all, pray that God’s promise of His favour towards us in Christ (read Romans 8 if you need the reassurance of this promise) may be our lived everyday experience. Only then will we be able to glorify Him and enjoy Him simultaneously, revering at the glories of God’s grace which is our ultimate end, as Ephesians 1 and 2 explains. 

May God have mercy on us all in these last few days of 2021!

“Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11) In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Bible Reading: Luke 1:1-7

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7)

Christmas came in the midst of an evil and merciless time. At that time, Mary was in her late pregnancy. Yet, a man of great power, Caesar Augustus, thought that it would be about time to hold a worldwide census. This great man was proud of his power and achievements. He was the epitome of human pride and rebellion against God — a man who thought he was omnipotent without God. 

When Caesar called for a census, he had no mercy. He ordered all people to return to their hometowns. There was no mercy for people like Mary, who was soon to give birth. What would have Mary thought? There would have been nothing but bitterness in her heart towards such evil and pitiless men. 

Mary was forced to walk hundreds of miles to Bethlehem. It was a death wish. How could she endure such a journey when she was about to give birth anytime? Evil reigned at that time, and evil wanted to crush Christmas.

When Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem, there was no place in any inn. All the rooms were full, and there was no room for a woman to give birth. How hopeless would have Mary and Joseph felt? What curse of sin left this couple no room to give birth? Why were they deprived of basic necessities any human deserves? What sin caused so much suffering?

The only place to stay that was available was an animal’s stable. It must have been a filthy place filled with animal dung. No reasonable human would stay the night in such a place waiting with bacteria and diseases. Yet, in desperation, Joseph cleaned up the stable for Jesus to be born. He lined the animal manger, that food tray filled with animal saliva, to place the coming Baby. 

The place was filth. From an outsider’s view, there was no dignity in this birth. This was an example of the degrading experience of suffering as a result of sin’s curse. Yet, in such a place, Jesus was born. Evil could not sway God’s plan. In a humiliating place, a Saviour for mankind was born. There was hope in the darkest place. 

This is the essence of Christmas — God incarnates to overturn the darkest places in our hearts to bring forth light. He is willing and able to give us hope in our broken and sinful hearts. Have we accepted Him? Has His love overflowed in our hearts? Can we rejoice at the joy of Christmas, praising Him for what He has done? 

May we remember His love once again this Christmas.

Lord, thank You for Your love shown through Your Son on Christmas. We praise You for You bring hope in the midst of the darkest evil. In Your wrath, You do not forsake Your people. Yet, You sent a Saviour so that those who believe might be reconciled with You. Teach us to rejoice and to love You more. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading: John 13:1-20

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)

Jesus humbled Himself to incarnate as a man so that He could portray God’s love to this world. Jesus came to love His own, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, casting out demons. Amongst all these, Jesus gave the gift of faith that those who were healed would believe and be forgiven. Jesus, Himself said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

Even amongst Jesus’ disciples, there were tax collectors. Take Matthew, for example. The amount of public shame associated with a tax collector sitting in his tax booth could be synonymous with a prostitute in the middle of an act in today’s culture. Tax collectors were liars who scammed everyone for money. They were corrupt government officials who did not pity the financial stress of others. Yet, as Matthew sat in his booth, Jesus came and called Matthew to follow Him. Jesus then went to recline with tax collectors and break bread. Here is God, the Holy of holies reclining with the sinner of sinners. See God’s love for this world! What vile sins are hidden in your heart? Behold, Christ is willing to come in and dwell with you! Open your heart for Him!

This is the love that came at Christmas. It was a bright shining hope for this broken and rejected world. Yet, we often complain that today is different. After 2000 years, we can no longer see Christ in the flesh, and such love seems to have vanished. But that is not the case. Jesus promised that having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them also to the end. That means, His love lasts for eternity. “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The love He showed to tax collectors and sinners while He was still on earth is the same love He shows to us today. 

Notice how Jesus demonstrated His love through the action of feet-washing, a dirty act reserved for non-Jewish slaves. Jesus not only cleansed feet, but He has stooped down as a servant to all to cleanse sinful hearts by dying for sin on the cross. This is Christ’s love which is still at work today. While Jesus was on earth, He visited those who were broken. Today, Christ still works through the power of the Holy Spirit, who visits helpless sinners and opens to them the bright light of the gospel for their salvation. Christmas was not a one-off event. It lasts to this day!

Lord, thank You for the love that You showed on Christmas. Thank You that Your love continues to this day. Bring us to comprehend even more deeply Your love for us this Christmas. Draw us closer to You and teach us to love You more each day. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading: Luke 11:33-36

“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in your be darkness” (Luke 11:34-35)

Jesus came as a light to the world amidst the darkness of hearts in sin in this world. He did not hide His light, but He proclaimed the gospel message bold and clear in the synagogues and marketplaces to the multitudes. Christ, the true Light, did not hide in the cellar or under a basket. Instead, he shone on a stand so that all could see. 

The question lies with whether we see Christ’s light or not. Many amongst the crowd could only see Jesus as a charismatic teacher and prophet who performed wondrous miracles. Most could not see that He was the awaited Messiah, the Saviour of the world. 

Our eyes are the lamp to our bodies, meaning that what we see and perceive will influence who we are and how we act. If our eyes are “healthy” or, more precisely in the original language, “single-focused and without a double fold”, our whole body will be full of light. Do we want our entire lives and being to radiate a witness to Christ’s gospel? If so, we ought to pay careful attention to what we focus our eyes on. What is our vision as we wake up each day? Where are our eyes fixed? Whose approval do we look for? Whose guidance will we observe? Along with Jonathan Edwards, let us pray, “God, stamp eternity on my eyeballs”. 

If our eyes are bad, if our focus is divided, our whole body will be full of darkness. Observe how there is no in-between. If we decide to shift our focus on God and our reputation, we cannot be a glowing witness to Christ. Instead, we become one with the world in darkness. If we are focused on ourselves and do not say with Paul, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), we will not be any witness to anyone. To be used by God requires a sustained single heart and vision. Does God find such in us? 

Focusing our vision on Christ alone is not a one-off occasion when we surrender our whole lives to Christ. It is a daily struggle. That is why Jesus warns us, “Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness” (Luke 11:35). We must watch ourselves vigilantly in prayer and reliance on God. If we were full of light, we would shine wholly bright and be beacons of hope and truth in this world — servants used by God. But, our fleshly desires still sometimes overcomes us. Moreover, Satan is trying his best to take advantage of our weaknesses and drag us back into our sins and darkness. It’s a spiritual war and a struggle to keep our eyes focused on Christ. 

This Christmas season, I am reminded of the wise men who saw the bright light shining from afar. Though they were gentiles and came from afar, they followed the light to the baby King. Gaze fixed, they pilgrimed from far lands to offer gifts to the King and to bow down and worship Him. Will we keep our gaze focused on Christ solely to offer Him our very lives and worship Him all our days? 

Lord, clear my vision until You are all I see. Help me in my struggles against sin and a divided heart. Put to death all otherworldly desires that exist in me. Open my eyes to behold wondrous things out of Your law. Show me Your glory and let that glory transform me. Use me as Your servant and make me shine full of light. Have mercy on me, for apart from You, I can do nothing. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-17

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

One of the things I miss most about gathering in church together is the singing. God gave us the good gift of music for a good reason, to stir our hearts to worship and give thanks to Him in His truth. Singing together in worship rejuvenates our hearts. It lets God’s promises ring loudly within our souls. Singing reminds us of the basic gospel truths and invites us to thank God week on week again for what He has done on the cross. 

I have to admit, during this lockdown, I have slacked off in such resonant gratitude to God. I do not blame the absence of singing. However, we can see just how powerful singing in a congregation really is. Singing is essential because thanksgiving is essential. We ought to continually give thanks to God for what He has done. The hidden paradox is that giving thanks to God is not only about God, but it does much for our souls. When we give thanks, we remember again who we are. When we forget what God has done, we often take Him for granted. We are lured to sins and our old self again. We lose any affection or zeal for Him. Sometimes giving thanks to God is the remedy for all that. 

When was the last time we thanked God for what He has done for us on the cross in a concentrated and reverent manner? I say this because it is very easy to let the words slip off our tongue, but it is not genuine half the time. 

When was the last time we let a psalm speak on our behalf to uplift praise to God? 

We are very weak Christians. As soon as church is gone and there is nothing to condition us to praise God wholeheartedly, we forget to do so. Let us take this moment to repent before God and ask Him to teach us to sing and give thanks to Him once again. 

As a church in IREC Sydney, we have been preparing to sing corporately again, Lord willing, in our Concert of Prayer. One of the hymns we are preparing is titled “In Times Like These” by Ruth Caye Jones. This hymn was penned during World War II when Ruth was saddened by the endless names on the newspaper’s casualty list. In hard and difficult times, she was reminded of God’s goodness and sovereignty, penning the words, 

In times like these, you need a Savior, in times like these, you need an anchor;

be very sure, be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Chorus:

The Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One.

The Rock is Jesus, the only One.

Be very sure, be very sure,

your anchor holds, and grips the Solid Rock.

 In times like these, you need the Bible, in times like these, O be not idle!

Be very sure, be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock. (Chorus)

 In times like these, I have a Savior, in times like these, I have an anchor;

I’m very sure, I’m very sure, my anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock. (Chorus)

This hymn reminds us of God’s goodness and providence even within the ever-changing times surrounding us. For us, in the comfort of our homes, we may have fallen idle. However, this hymn reminds us, be not idle! There is much to do for the work of the Lord in times like these. 

May hymns like these prepare our hearts as we return to church to worship together in person. May our hearts be stirred once again with thanksgiving and a renewed zeal to worship and serve God!

Lord, please forgive us if we have grown cold and idle, forgetting Your promises and forgetting to give thanks to You. Stir our hearts once more, Lord, with song, gladness, and fire to worship and serve You. Please prepare our hearts as we return to worship in Your church. Awaken those who slumber and restore a zeal in each one of us. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)

How do we mature spiritually? Paul shows us that growing spiritually is not only sitting under sound preaching every Sunday (although this is essential for all Christians). Paul tells us that mature Christians speak the truth to each other in love, and by this, the body of Christ, the church grows up to be like Christ. 

As fellow Christians, we are called to speak to each other the truth. But, how often do we talk about God’s truth with each other? How often do we encourage our fellow believers with God’s Word? How often do we think, discuss, and absorb God’s Word so that it becomes part of our everyday lives? 

In the end, we are all called to be teachers to some degree. We are not only consumers. It has been said that the best way to learn something is to teach it. When we learn to discuss, speak, and teach God’s Word that we are learning personally or from teachers, as Paul mentions in v. 11, to each other, we learn so much more. 

Church life is meant to be organic and dynamic. It is meant to be a community where Christ’s love abounds. The greatest love we could ever express is to encourage each other in our faith. When others are down, we encourage them with God’s Word. When someone is making hard decisions in life, we pray for them and share God’s Word. These things are not restricted to the teachers and shepherds in the church. They are there as leaders whose job is to train all of us so that we can comfort and encourage one another. 

When was the last time you reached out to your church friends and asked how they were going spiritually? When was the last time you shared with someone what you were learning from the Bible? This is what church is for! The church is meant to be a place like home where we live the ups and downs of life together. The church is not only a place where we hear preaching on Sundays and then go on to live our spiritual lives in isolation. It is also not only a gathering to do ministry. We do all these things because it is in this community where we encourage each other onwards to godly living that everyone grows together to be like Christ. We use our gifts, talents and personality God has given us to do our part properly in the body of Christ. From this, the body builds itself up in love. 

As lockdown ends and we come back to church in person, what will your attitude be towards the church? Will we learn to foster a community that speaks the truth to each other in love? 

Lord, thank You that we are part of Your Church and have Christ as our head. Please help us mature in our faiths and learn what it means to be a member of Your body. Help us to understand that we don’t live our spiritual lives alone but that You gave the church a means where we can grow by speaking the truth to each other in love. Please work to foster such a community in our local church. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 3:1-32

“Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” (Nehemiah 2:17-18)

If you read Nehemiah 3:1-32, you are currently probably thinking, what’s the point of a list of names? What can we learn from this? 

Well, Nehemiah’s list of names paints a beautiful picture of God’s people working together to complete God’s work. People from all clans and social statuses rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty to build Jerusalem’s wall that had been ruined in the exile. The wall was vitally important for protecting the city from enemies, and the rebuilding of the wall was in preparation for the remnant’s return from exile to Jerusalem. It was the dawn of a new beginning; a flower sprung up from war-torn ruins. 

The people’s unity and humility to get their hands dirty is the principle of how we should all be serving God together in the church for His glorious works. God moulded a united burden amongst the people in Jerusalem at that time. Although the people left in Jerusalem after the exile were feeble and poor, they trusted God to help them achieve the impossible. Leaders of surrounding cities mocked Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem, but they trusted in God. Do we have a zeal and a unity to complete God’s work together as His church? Especially during this lockdown period, are our burdens still to serve God with His church or have we become self-centred in our pursuits? 

How the church works is truly amazing. Different people from all different walks of life join together because Christ unites them for glorious works which He prepared. For example, take a look at all the Israelites who joined hands to build the wall. 

Eliashib, the high priest, was the first to rebuild the Sheep Gate. Being the spiritual leader of the people, Eliashib rolled up his sleeves first. Despite his position, he was willing to get dirty, mix mud and stack stone upon stone. He was the high priest! He shouldn’t have to do manual labour. He deserved clean clothes. But, for God’s work, Eliashib stooped down and was the first to begin the work. 

After Eliashib, people of different clans set to work. People of different occupations also did their part. There was Uzziel, the goldsmith, Hananiah, the perfumer, Rephaiah, who has the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, and Shallum’s daughters also took part. The list goes on, but you can see the beauty of different people working together. No matter who they were or where they were from, everyone contributed to God’s work according to their talents and abilities. 

This is what the church should look like. God doesn’t call us to do mighty things beyond our capabilities. God calls us to do our part in His church according to the gifts He has given us. The wonderful thing is, above all our efforts, God’s people doing God’s work will not fail because God is the one who decreed and the one who will sustain. 

Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab, officials from surrounding countries did not like the idea of the wall around Jerusalem. They laughed at Nehemiah, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” (Nehemiah 2:19). However, Nehemiah calmly replied, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2:20). And so, God is with His people, and God’s work will prosper. Are we willing to get our hands dirty? 

Lord, please unite us and teach us what it means to serve You. You are the faithful God who has called Your church together to serve You. Thank You that You want to teach us what it means to live for You and with You. Please forgive our selfishness and little concern for Your church. Help us get our hands dirty, use our talents to do our part in the church, and serve You in the glorious works You have prepared for us. May Your Kingdom come. In Jesus’ name, amen.