04 March - Standing Firm in the Lord
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 3:7-8
The Apostle Paul was responsible for sowing the seeds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the Thessalonians. Notwithstanding afflictions and distress at his end, Paul was tremendously encouraged by the feedback he received from Timothy that the new believers were standing firm in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Within our context, we may want to personally reflect on whether we are well anchored in our faith in Jesus. We may want the "Damascus moments" (“a fresh encounter with Jesus in our lives.”) Fix our eyes and thoughts on Jesus. Pray without ceasing. Feed on the word of God daily. Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness Serve the afflicted and the marginalised. Do justice. Like the new believers of the Thessalonica Church, stand firm in the Lord. Keep the faith in Jesus evergreen!
One may ask with overpowering emotions, "How can I stand firm in the Lord when I am devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic? I have lost my job and my livelihood." Another cries out uncontrollably, "My entire business has been decimated." Yet another laments frantically, "I am in the midst of deep-seated mental anguish, depression and aggravated state of indebtedness. The creditors are threatening foreclosure proceedings and bankruptcy action. My family is in a total mess. What can I do? Where do I go?"
Go on your knees. We have an intimate connection with our Father in heaven. Cry unto the Lord for wisdom, "I call on the Lord in my distress and he answers me" (Psalm 120:1). The Sovereign Lord answers prayers. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Suffering, an inevitable earthly process, has purifying and refining effect. "Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" (Romans 5:3-4). Hope gives us a positive mental framework through the power of the Holy Spirit to appreciate and to resolve the real-life issues before us in a practical manner.
We can draw divine inspiration and direction from the miracle narrated in 2 Kings 4:1- 7 about a widow who was in a state of indebtedness. The creditor was coming to take her two sons away as slaves. She appealed to Prophet Elisha for help. She only had a "small jar of oil". Prophet Elisha asked her to get as many empty jars from her neighbours and fill all the jars with the oil from her own small jar. Miraculously, the oil from her small jar kept on flowing until all the empty jars were completely filled. She sold the oil and settled all her debts and she used the excess money for the needs of her family. Yes, our God is a God of limitless possibilities. Miracles and blessings will abound in God's given time when we stand firm in the Lord.
Let not your hearts be troubled. Just stand firm in the Lord. Jesus is Lord. "Stickability" with Jesus is the perfect answer to the "sticky mess" around us.
PONDER
As an act of faithfulness to God, can we look beyond our personal circumstances to invest in the next generation of believers and leaders? How can we encourage Christcenteredness, passion, diligence, and faithfulness? What simple projects can we establish and support to uplift and to bless those suffering in our midst?
PROMISE
"Come near to God and he will come near to you." (James 4:8)
PRAYER
Sovereign Lord, as we stand firmly and humbly before your awesome throne, we thank you for the inspiration and power you have given us to go beyond our own personal circumstances to uplift the down-trodden members of our community and to bring them hope, joy and peace in their lives. Amen.
Article by Mr D Raja Singam, the Diocesan Registrar and a member of the Provincial Synod. He is a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Ipoh, Perak.