Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:1-4

No Matter What 

“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” – Deuteronomy 32:4

I texted my pastor about my condition, and soon after, she called me. We had a pretty long conversation, and I listened carefully to what she said. Toward the end of our phone call, she told me to hold onto these 3 things: God is always right. God is faithful. God loves me.

Moses was chosen to lead over two million people from slavery to freedom. He took them on a 40-year journey in the desert. There were a few times God wanted to cancel His plan and wipe out the entire nation because of their rebellion and stubbornness, but Moses defended the Israelites. Yet near the end, God did not allow him to enter the promised land for Moses’ wrongdoing. Moses begged God to let him in, but God did not change His decision. 

How disappointing it must have been for Moses. It seemed very unfair. However, when he could not have what he hoped for, Moses’ heart was still full of thanksgiving. He wrote a beautiful song about God, proclaiming that He is perfect and His ways are just. Wow! What faith he has! Thirteen centuries later, Moses appeared next to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. He lives in the presence of God and remains one of the greatest prophets of all time. 

When we are in difficult times, we often think life is unfair. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people. The good news is: that God can see far beyond. And while we are in the present, God’s grace is sufficient for us to go through things we do not understand. When we see God as He is, we see a God who is just, faithful, and loving no matter what. 

God did not allow Moses to enter the promised land. However, God prepared things far beyond what he could imagine. The same applies to you and me as well. If today is unfair to you, remember that you have a God who has prepared you for tomorrow. And He will never fail to amaze you! 

God is always right. God is faithful. God loves me. No matter what!

Scripture: Job 42

Why? 

“After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations.” – Job 42:16

When we are in trials, we often ask, “Why? Why me?” Job expressed many whys in chapter 7 upon his sudden sufferings. He thought he was being a burden to God such that he became God’s target to attack (Job 7:20). He couldn’t see why God cursed him so badly. So he started to question God. 

Job was confident that he was an upright and blameless man – and he was right. However, Job was wrong when he used it against God, doubting God’s justice and decision. Job became prideful of his righteousness. He forgot that God is far greater than any mortal. 

Did Job have weak faith? No. In fact, God said that Job had faith like no one. Because God loves him, God wanted to purify Job and allow Job to know Him personally. Job finally confessed his imperfections, stopped asking why, and started to ask God for instruction (Job 42: 1-6). What happened next? God extended Job’s life for another 140 years with more blessings and happiness than he had ever had before. 

I was in the hospital for my first chemotherapy treatment. The nurses were ready with their gloves, gown, and face mask. They brought the medicine in a purple bag labeled “Cytotoxic drug.” I watched carefully as they put it into the lining of my hand. The orange fluid flowed into my body. I Googled the word and found out Cytotoxic means a poisonous substance to both good and bad rapid-growth living cells. 

Deep in my heart, I was very tempted to ask God, “WHY must I go through this hardship? Why and Why me?” I tried to recall the mistakes I had made in the past. I asked myself if there was any sin, which had caused me to be in this situation. But I knew it wasn’t right to blame God, so instead of accusing Him, I started asking, “What is Your purpose, God? There must be something You want to teach me through this season, and I know it is for good.” I repented and asked God to strengthen my faith. 

After that day, God started revealing things that I couldn’t understand before. Though I have not seen the complete picture yet, I could see Him slowly piecing the puzzle together. 

If you are still continually asking God for reasons for the trials you face, I encourage you to stop asking why because it is not helpful. Instead, start asking God for His purpose for you through the hardships. He is a God of purpose. Everything He does has a reason though we may not comprehend, for His ways are higher. I believe with my heart that when we persevere in the season of pruning, we will witness God, not from others, but because we experience Him personally. 

God permits trials to people He wants to use for a greater purpose

Scripture: Acts 12:1-18

Believer’s Prayers 

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” – Acts 12:5

Prior to Peter’s arrest, he had seen his closest brother, James, who was a disciple of Jesus, being killed mercilessly with a sword. While he was still in deep sorrow, Peter was presented with the same fate, as he too was sentenced to death by the king. King Herod ordered the head of the military to guard Peter in a way that there was no way he could ever escape. Peter was put into the innermost prison cell, with four layers of gates and sixteen soldiers to guard him, and he was bound with two chains.

He was going to be executed the day after, but Peter, in his fatigue, fell asleep that night. Yet, while he was sleeping, the church prayed for him without ceasing. Peter couldn’t deal with the trial himself and was ready to accept his fate, but God canceled his death because of earnest prayers from the church. Peter did not even realize if the miracle he received was real until the angel of the Lord left him. Miracles took place, and Peter gained back his footing to continue his missions.

During my taxi ride to the hospital for my first treatment, I read the Bible, and God guided me to the story of Peter in prison. Resonating with Peter in feeling trapped by circumstances, I was very drawn to the miracle by the angel, but God turned my attention to the verse that explained what made the miracle that night. It was the believers’ prayers.

I quickly broadcasted a message to my friends and asked for their help to start praying for my divine healing. The text was spread to more believers, in and out of people from different countries. I wasn’t upset about people knowing my condition. I believed that a miracle would take place when I have friends continually praying for me.

Do you have friends who can pray for you? If you do not, the church members can be your prayer partners. I want to encourage you that you are not alone in your battles. God is with you, and we are with you. There are many who earnestly care about you and will carry you in their prayers. And more importantly, know that you have a God who is ready to work miracles in your life.

In the near future, you will be the person who encourages another person who is struggling with the same battle that you have won!

Prayers in unity bring down miracles from heaven

Scripture: Jonah 1

In the Midst of Storm 

“Then the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.” – Jonah 1:16

I had lost count of the needles that had been used on me so far. I thought I would eventually get used to the pain, but the bone marrow biopsy threw me off-guard. Prior to the procedure, my wife shared with me about her epidural injection in the bone marrow during the labor for our daughters. So, I anticipated a similar experience. However, the level of pain turned out to be far more than what I had in mind.

When the doctor was taking samples inside my bone marrow, I felt pretty nervous. The nurse in front of me sensed my restlessness and tried to calm me down. At that time, God reminded me of the crucifixion of Christ. I could not imagine how painful it was for Jesus when the nails were pierced through his hands and feet. God spoke to me, “What you are experiencing now is nothing compared to what I had gone through for your salvation.”

It’s so true.

So I started to give thanks to God for the cross. I asked forgiveness for not fully appreciating His grace for my life. And I could never forget what I heard next inside my heart, “I will use your trial to save many.” I said yes to God.

An hour later, my mom went into the room. She came to me, shed her tears, and said that she had accepted Christ into her heart. For the past 17 years, I had been praying for my family’s salvation, especially my mother. I couldn’t believe her words. She repeated herself. That was one of the best moments in my life. Then, I heard the same small voice say to me, “Your mom is the first fruit.”

A great wind and violent tempest on the sea almost destroyed the ship where Jonah was while he was running away from God’s calling for him to evangelize in Nineveh. The storm was so strong that even the sailors with years of experience could not handle it and feared for their lives. They cried out to their gods, hoping one of the gods would save them from death (Jonah 1:5). Yet, there was no answer.

In the end, Jonah confessed that he was the reason for the storm. What is interesting about the story is: God used this situation as a testament to His mighty power. Through the calming of the storm, Jonah evangelized to the sailors, and they became people who feared the Lord of Israel and made vows. Ultimately, it was not about who or what had caused the storm, but it is about how God had used the storm to save souls.

My friend, when you experience a heavy storm in your life, God can use it to show His power and glory. Through the waves, He will equip you to be a blessing to many. While the storm is still roaring, He will be your defender and refuge. God will calm your storm. He will.

God works in the midst of the heavy storm

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-23

Unseen Miracles 

“Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.” – 2 Kings 6:17

Have you ever thought about how many miracles you receive in your life on a daily basis? 

The King of Aram sent horses and chariots, and a powerful army to seize Elisha, the prophet. Elisha’s servant panicked when he saw the entire city surrounded by the enemies. He didn’t realize that God’s army was there, but Elisha did. Only after Elisha asked God to open his eyes was he able to see the unseen miracle that delivered him from the enemies. 

The doctor explained how the chemotherapy treatment would work. He elaborated on what would happen to my immune system and body during the treatment. Six chemotherapy cycles; Each cycle starts with four days of chemotherapy medicine infusion, followed by two weeks of being immunocompromised due to the treatment. I would have a few days to regain my strength before the next treatment cycle starts again. 

During my downtime, I learnt to recognize the unseen miracles of God. I learnt to appreciate every little progress in my healing. I learnt to give thanks for another day God graciously gave to me. I learnt to acknowledge His divine strength that sustained me during the treatment. I learnt that miracles do not have to always be spectacular. Miracles may not always be known nor visible to the eyes. I learn to believe that God works behind the scenes every day and performs “little” miracles to bring me to recovery. 

My friend, adversities often lead us to only focus on the negatives, obstructing our vision from seeing God’s protection in our lives. Just as God was always ready to defend Elisha, He is always prepared to protect us too. No matter how many trials, whether big or small, God will send a stronger army that outnumbers our problems. Today, let’s pray and ask God to open our spiritual eyes so that we can see the unseen miracles that He has been doing in our lives. 

Give thanks to the Lord always for the unseen miracles

Scripture: Psalms 84

Favour 

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord bestows grace and favour and honour; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” – Psalm 84:11

We find many examples in the Bible of men of God who were chosen by God to receive His favour. Divine favour rested on Isaac, not Ishmael. Jacob was favoured by God instead of his brother Esau, even though he was the younger one. Joseph and David were both the weakest in appearance, but God chose them among their brothers. And many more. From these examples, we learn that God’s favour is by grace alone and does not spare those who have it from trials.

Psalm 84 beautifully describes the keys of David, who found favour in the sight of God. David loved to dwell in God’s presence. He wanted God, not His blessings. David longed to walk away from worldly riches and be a doorkeeper instead so that he could stay in the house of the Lord. David placed his strength and trust in God alone. Though he passed through the valley of weeping, God turned it into a place of springs. Isn’t that what favour is?

One of my prayers was for God to not let me experience many side effects from the chemotherapy treatment. God may allow me to have this disease temporarily, but I prayed that God would make a difference in the way I went through it. I did not want to worry my family too much. I thanked God for His favour upon my life, my answered prayers. I remembered when we went to our doctor for one of our regular consultations, he asked me about my appetite. My answer was: I feel hungry almost all the time, and he replied with a smile: That is not a bad sign.

Amidst my battle with cancer, God showed me daily His faithfulness in His promises. The amount of kindness and support I received, the doors that were opened for our financial needs, the physical strength I had during my treatment, and many more.

People compete in almost all areas of life. And as long as we are in the world, we will somehow participate in the competition. When we try to compete with our own strength, we will soon become tired. As the old saying goes, there is always a higher mountain. That is the reason why the favour of God will be the key to our victory in life. You may not be the smartest in school or the office or the business fields, but because the favour of God goes with you, you will find favour and success in the sight of men.

If God allows you to enter into a challenging season, know that it is because you are chosen among many to experience the favour of God. And through the lessons learned, God will use your pains to paint His glory to people in need. You are favoured by God.

Many are called, but few are chosen. That’s favour