Thoughts for another day

January 31, 2007

Today's verse: Jer. 29:13,14. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In a group of Christians talking to each other, I marvel at some people’s confidence in God. It exudes to the point that I say to myself, ‘vow, no calamity on earth that can touch this person for God is so much with him or her.’ Later when I reflect on some others, I think to myself, how feeble these are! Worried, tired, worn-out.

Why the contrast? The answer is in today’s verse. The essence of our contact with God is not in mumbling some prayers once in a while, but in sitting before Him and seeking His face. You want to enjoy God; you must learn to spend time with Him. I met a woman who I exhorted to pray. In reply she said, ‘Brother, I pray all the while.’ I asked her, ‘how’. She said, ‘When I work in the kitchen I pray, when I sleep I pray, when I eat I pray…’ I was pretty amazed; but something made me ask her, ‘when do you really sit before God and pray?’ I was shocked at what she said, ‘When I pray the whole time, what is the need for me to sit before Him and pray?’ I don’t want to criticize but this woman is always beset with some problem!

Someone may dismiss this as God’s way of using this woman’s suffering so that He may work good in the world as we have heard of some people. But those who are used by God never complain and God provides His shield of peace so strongly upon them that even if the biggest tsunami were to come, they would neither die nor be disturbed. Praise God. And you know what? These are the people who sit before God and pray.

Beloved in Christ, don’t fool yourself with meaningless things and illusions of ways with God, which the world spews at you. If you want to know God and be strong in Him, sit before Him and seek Him. And He will reward you. Yesterday suddenly in the afternoon, I started feeling a weakness that usually comes with an infection. I felt tired and dazed. But I prayed to God who gave me the strength to bear it. In the evening, I sat before Him, seeking His face and told Him about the problem. My weakness didn’t go away but He gave me tremendous strength to bear it. It was there the whole night but I kept up the conversation I had with Him at His feet. Praise God, now I am completely fit with no sign of the pain! And my friend, truly I must say, my seeking His face in the situation has delighted Him. He says, ‘I will joy in you…’ Truly, He has joyed in me and His Word says, ‘The joy of the Lord is my strength.’ I actually lived this statement. I testify to it and I am glad to say that He is pleased. It has pleased my soul too. Let me also tell you, God has no favorites. He is the same. He will do it for you too. But please, sit before Him and seek Him. You will find Him and your soul will rejoice.