sunseeet
Friday, November 20, 2009
Was doing my Quiet Time just now and thought I'd record and share what I've learnt for myself here.
I was reading Exodus again as I felt that I hadn't been too diligent in the studying of Exodus with BSF for this year, or rather, I haven't had the faith to believe what I'd read about who God is, and so I couldn't 'see' many things as I was reading as compared to my study of Matthew last year.
God was very good to me. I visited my English teacher in NUS and we had a chat. Through her, I was reminded about many things and was very much strengthened by her as she spoke and just said out God's words (from what she had in her head).
I felt that God was speaking to me in almost everything that she said. I'll just do it in point form, hopefully it's clear.
1. There are many things we do not understand why God allowed it. And we may not know it only until we die and meet God in heaven.
It was a VERY timely reminder. Many times in this year, I tremendously struggled with what God has allowed to happen in my life. I felt that things would be better if I had certain things. And I felt that I deserve other things, or perhaps, better things. But Miss Fong (my teacher), said that many times we only look at that one thing that we do not have, but we forgot to remember the many things that we have. For herself, there are times she struggled with her singleness, but what helped her was to look at the many wonderful things God has given to her in her life.
I guess it really spoke to me. I truly had chosen to look at that ONE thing that I didn't have, despite the thought that God has given me much has flashed through my head many times. Looking at how much blessings I've received from God has indeed helped me to be happier.
2. When we hold on to something too tightly, we'll miss the point in what God has in store for us and cannot live our life more meaningfully and joyfully.
Miss Fong shared that she had a friend who held on to something very tightly - that is her hatred towards her 'father'. This friend's father abandoned the mother before she was born. And life had been very tough for her fatherless. My teacher shared that she was very bitter because of this ONE incident.
Yes, there are bitterness and grudges in my heart which I held on so tightly that brings tears to my eyes each time I think about it. But Miss Fong shared that we must trust that God, in His wisdom, allowed it to happen. And I still can't see it. But we must remember that
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"
Romans 8:28 NIV (with emphasis)
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
Indeed. God never explained to Job the reason for His allowance in what happened in Job's life. He merely told him to trust. And Job did, after these words,
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone-
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?
8 "Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt'?
12 "Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,
and their upraised arm is broken.
16 "Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all this.
19 "What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
Job 38 (NIV)
And Job did. All because God IS God.
I will just take that too and submit.
oops, I digressed, I guess I'll talk about Exodus again the next time. Haha.
blessed by Father; wHeE
