Psalm 30 Joy Comes with the Morning

As a Christian, I sometimes think that life should be rosy because I have God on my side. Well, the everyday experiences in my life have taught me that this is not the case. And King David expresses in this psalm the same conviction. He was attacked by foes, lived through desperate circumstances, and many times faced even death. Whether it be due to my own fault, or the fact that I live in a sinful world, or that God is testing me, no matter the reasons, difficulties in life will come.

As important as it is to understand that difficulties are part and parcel of life, it is also very important that I understand that there is an appointed time for the difficulties to end. The night will end with the morning. When morning comes, the darkness will be dissipated. Like David expressed it, it will be the day in which my mourning will be turned into dancing, my sackcloth will be replaced with clothing of gladness, my weeping will be turned into joy.

As a believer, I have the hope to see the morning light - the end of my difficulties, my troubles, my weeping. Morning may arrive in my lifetime or not. I may live many dark nights or one gloomy night for the rest of my life. But morning will come. One day, my Lord and King will come for me. He will not only put an end to my difficulties and troubles, but he will end injustice, pain, and suffering for all who believe in him.

While the night endures, I will cry out to the Lord. I will plead for mercy. I will remember the many times I have been delivered before and give thanks unto my Deliverer. I will trust that God is with me and that morning is coming soon, very soon.

Father, hold me while I walk in the dark night of trouble. Grant me endurance as I await the morning. Amen.

Psalm 16 Fullness of Joy

Many times, I have sought happiness and joy in all the wrong places. Family, work, human love are only some of them. As much satisfaction and joy family, work, and relationships can bring to one's life they are all temporary, short lived. The birth of a child awakens one to the mystery of life, but it also is a slap in the face to the reality of sickness, suffering, and the frailty of life. The work of one's hands brings great satisfaction after a job well done, but it does not last. Soon enough, one accomplishment calls for another and there is no end to the sequel to relive the joy. Human love is also so imperfect and frail, plagued with betrayal, mistrust, and many disappointments.

Where can I find fullness of joy? A joy that remains even when my circumstances change. A joy that has no end to its supply. A joy that does not depend on my work or lack of it. According to Psalm 16, that joy is found in God alone. David declares: "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." To have this everlasting joy in my life, I must declare God the Lord of my life. In reality, he is the Lord of my life whether I accept it or not. But God is looking for my surrender to his sovereign rule. Choosing to live as a rebel in God's kingdom is a sure formula for disaster and lack of joy.

Secondly, I must have confidence that God, as the sovereign ruler of my life, is my benefactor, my refuge. He has my best interest in mind. Therefore, I have confidence in him. This confidence brings also contentment in life. David says: "The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places." Using the imagery of the division of the land and plot allotment, he confesses contentment with the portion God has assigned to his life. If I want true joy, I must learn to be content with my portion in life. Some will be rich. Some will be poor. Whatever my lot, I will be content in God.

Thirdly, David says: "I have set the Lord always before me." If one wants to experience true joy, joy everlasting, one must intentionally, and purposefully seek God's counsel and reflect upon that counsel even as one lies in bed at night. God promises to make known "the path of life" that leads to that joy.

Father, help me live my life in submission to your rule. Fill me with thoughts of confidence and contentment in you for the life you have given. Show me the path of life that I may walk in your presence with everlasting joy. Amen.

Psalm 13 How Long?

When I was dating my wife Ana, I decided once to pay her a visit by surprise. She was working near the capital city and she was living near work. I was a College student and was living three hours away. My plan backfired because she wasn't at her apartment when I arrived. Her roommate told me she had left early in the day and was not sure when she was going to be back. I decided to wait for her. I remember how difficult it was to sit in wait, but my desire to see her was so strong that I waited over six hours to see her.  I was certain that she would come to that place, and that certainty kept me there. After I saw her beautiful face, the hours did not seem that important anymore.

So it is in our wait for our King. Jesus has promised to return for his people and judge the living and the dead. At times, it seems he is not going to show up, especially in times of difficulty. But we know his promises are true. Faith is to follow God with assurance and immunity to doubt trusting in his promises for today and hoping in his promises for our future. We can trust that Jesus will come back to settle the score between the just and the unjust. We can count on God coming to restore Creation and redeem us from evil, injustice, pain, and suffering.

Trust is what God wants from me. A trust that compels me to obey his commandments. A trust that keeps me wondering of the day and the hour in which he will come. A trust that rejoices in the wait though it is long and painful. A trust that keeps me on the edge with expectation. A trust that simply will not quit no matter how long the wait is.

Jesus has not left us alone. We have the Holy Spirit in us who offers us a taste of eternity day by day. He comforts us and ministers to us in our hour of distress. He allows us to experience some of the joy and delight of being in the presence of God Almighty. He offers us day by day so many gifts and blessings that make us sing out of thanksgiving and keep us waiting patiently, enduring all circumstances of life.

How long must we wait until the return of our King? No one knows. Psalm 13 tells me that I must contemplate the salvation that God has given me and count my blessings. This will move my heart to understand that what I wait for is so much better than this world and so worth the wait. It will move me to even sing.

Father, grant me patience to wait for your Son. Help me rejoice in the salvation you have given as I count my blessings. Place a song in my heart for you every day.

Psalm 5 Lead Me In Your Righteousness

The Greeks thought that righteousness was a virtue. The Jews thought righteousness was achieved by works. But righteousness is a relational term. We are not born with it and we cannot work for it. David prays to God: "Lead me in your righteousness." True righteousness is born out of faith in God, particularly in his ability to judge and to save. Righteousness is present in the life of the believer who lives in faith that God’s justice/judgment/salvation will usher in a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Righteousness is not passive; it is to be pursued because ultimately, righteousness is found in God and we should pray that he leads us in his righteousness not our own or any other's.

As we live our lives in this world, we can trust that God, in his righteousness, will always love what is right and always hate what is evil. There is no chance for anyone who sets his life towards wickedness. God in his righteousness, justice, and love will not allow this to happen. But we must set our hearts towards God and submit to him as our God and King. Like David, we must seek him in prayer every day.

Many are alarmed by David's prayers against unbelievers. Yet, we must remember that the people David speaks of are people who have set their unrepentant hearts against God and gloat in their wicked ways. David's prayers serve as a reminder to the faithful that the wicked will be judged and not get away with their sinful lifestyles. It is also a reminder to the wicked themselves that what awaits them is a final judgment where God will call them to accountability and condemn them if their is no repentance.

But the one who makes God his refuge will rejoice with songs of joy. God promises favor and protection to those who seek him. One must not think that the protection that God offers is to spare us from difficulties in life. No! Many more times than not, the protection of God is for our souls that we may not faint in our faith in the midst of our trials and tribulations in life. Through the ordeals of life, God promises to be a shield for our souls that we may continue to walk with him through it all; that his righteousness may continue to lead our lives.

Father, lead me in your righteousness. Enable me to seek you day by day to walk with you on the path you have chosen for me. Shield my heart from wickedness that I may serve you with joy. Amen.

Acts 13:13-51 Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia

Paul and Barnabas' main strategy during their first missionary journey was to visit the synagogues and preach to the Jews. They would come in and sit down to wait for an opportunity to speak. It was up to the rulers of the synagogue to offer them an opportunity to speak, but due to the many things that were happening (signs and wonders), people were curious and would give them an opportunity to encourage the people. Then, they would capitalize on the opportunity to present the Gospel message.

How can I spark curiosity in people about my faith? One way is to pray that God will work signs and wonders where I am, whether through me or through others associated with me, so that people will be moved to ask. Signs and wonders should continue to be part and parcel of the Gospel and I should not give up on it. Just because signs and wonders are not as prevalent today as they were in the day of the Apostles does not mean that I should harden my heart towards the possibility that God can do something that impacts our community. I don't have to think of fire and brimstone coming down from heaven. It can be as simple as the answer to a prayer I utter on behalf of an unbeliever.

Paul and Barnabas went to the Jews first because they knew they could have an audience due to their relationship with them. Paul was well known in his time among his peers and he used his influence to bring the Gospel. I need to work on my circle of influence to build bonds of friendship that will bring out the curiosity in people. Unfortunately, I must confess that most of my time is devoted to the church and I am always surrounded by believers. If I am to make an impact in my community, I must find ways to connect with the community, not only as a church, but personally, I must make the effort to have a circle of unbelieving friends in my community.

The content of Paul's message begins with the common history the Jews share of how God brought them out of Egypt. As he recounts their history going through prophets and kings, he points out that God had spoken to the nation about a Savior who would be a descendant of David. He also points out that John the Baptist, as well respected as he was, was not the one to fulfill this prophecy. Jesus is the one who fulfilled the Scriptures who died and resurrected and in whose name they proclaim forgiveness of sins. Paul quotes verses from Psalm2, 16 and Isaiah 29, 55 pointing at Jesus as the Christ and urging them to respond with repentance. I must learn to make connections with people where they are in their spiritual journey. I must also learn to bring them along to understand that Jesus is the Savior of their lives using meaningful connections with their background and experience.

Since the Jews opposed the Gospel message, Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles who received it with great joy and many believed. When unbelief sets in a person's heart, there is only so much I can do. I must be willing to move on to find fertile soil for the Word of God. I'm not talking about giving up on people, but making sure I don't spend all my time with a person who has had plenty of opportunity to respond and has decided to put it off. I must be led by the Holy Spirit to discern when to move on and when to stick it out.

Unfortunately, I must be ready for opposition and persecution as I go about sharing the good news. Paul and Barnabas were driven out of the district by devout men and women to Judaism.  Despite the circumstances, they were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. The Apostles considered persecution an honor and a privilege. It was not a reason to be discouraged or depressed. It was a joyous occasion to be persecuted for the name of Jesus. Will I rejoice when persecuted? Will I rejoice when opposed?

Father, help me believe that signs and wonders are still for today and to have an open heart to see you work in my community. Give me opportunities to build a circle of influence among the unchurched. Teach me to build relationships that create curiosity for the faith. Teach me how to connect with people and bring them to the cross. Fill my heart with joy as I am obedient to your mandate whether people respond or not. Amen

Acts 8:4-8 Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

God is an expert in redeeming terrible and chaotic circumstances. Persecution scattered the Ancient Church, but with its scattering came the spread of the Gospel. Jerusalem had become a place of comfort for the church and the Apostles made it a fortress so to speak. But in doing so, they were disobeying the very  instructions that Jesus gave them to be witnesses in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Sometimes, God uses very unusual circumstances to overcome my lack of motivation to be a witness outside of my Jerusalem (local place of ministry). Am I entrenched in my Jerusalem unwilling to go out to Samaria to be a witness?

Another key element in the propagation of the Gospel is that not only did the disciples break out of their zones of comfort, but they all were proclaiming the good news. The preaching of the word, understood in this context as being witnesses for the kingdom, was not the exclusive task of the Apostles - "those who were scattered went about preaching the word." In fact, the Apostles remained in Jerusalem! I must be a witness myself. I can't delegate the proclamation of the word to my leaders. I am called to do so. I must obey! My willingness to proclaim the good news as a believer is a key factor to the spread of the Gospel.

The persecution also forced the Ancient Church to go into places they probably would not have gone on their own. Not only were the disciples forced to leave Jerusalem and move outwardly, but they were forced to go to undesirable (to them) places. Samaria is a case in point. The inhabitants of Samaria are descendants of the Jews that mixed themselves with foreign women of the Assyrian empire. The Jews despised them for adopting not only foreign women, but also foreign gods. The Jews despised the Samaritans so much that they would rather walk around their city than enter it to go anywhere even if it meant walking more. Where is my Samaria? Who is despised like that in my context? Is it a social class? Is it the poor? Is it an ethnic group? There could be multiple answers, but the bottom line is that I must be a witness to them also!

"Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ." Maybe to his surprise, the people paid attention to his message and many signs followed the preaching of the Gospel, just like he had experienced in his own Jewish context. God had no partiality. He demonstrated his power among them just like he did among the Jews. Philip became an instrument in God's hands to demonstrate the love, compassion, and mercy of God. The result of such a campaign of love motivated by the persecution  was much joy for the Samaritans. My pain sometimes becomes the motivator to do God's will so that others may experience joy. Christ compels me to identify my Samaria and seek them Samaritans to proclaim the good news so that they might have the opportunity to experience true joy.

Father, thanks for the tough times as well as the good times. Fill me with your Spirit and grant me courage and boldness to speak your word, to be a witness and not rely on my leaders to do so. Help me take responsibility and action. Open my eyes to see the Samaria in my context and seek them. Thank you for the joy you give us all who follow you in your kingdom. Amen.

Acts 5:17-42 The Apostles Arrested and Freed

Here is another confrontation between the Apostles and the authorities. As Jesus had predicted, they would be hated in the world. Why? Well, the Sadducees were part of the established authority and they preached no resurrection. Also, they were jealous of the following the apostles were able to gather around them. Finally, the message of the apostles laid guilt upon them as they participated of Christ's crucifixion. Belief, jealousy, and guilt are only some reasons why the world stands against the Gospel. Even today, these three reasons still stand as powerful reasons to persecute the Christians and the Church. The world will do everything it can to silence the good news of the Gospel and stop it from spreading.

How did the Apostles react to the authorities' persecution? For one, they were submitted to the authorities. I don't see any attempts to even resist arrest. They did what they had to do and allowed the authorities to do what they had to do. No violence. No name calling. No animosities. The Apostles did not hesitate to obey even in the midst of great pressure. They were preaching and teaching when they were arrested the first time. They were preaching and teaching when they were freed and commanded to continue to speak all the words of this Life by the angel. They went out to preach and teach after they were beaten and charged not to speak in the name of Jesus by the authorities. Their motto was: "We must obey God rather than men."

What could motivate the apostles to risk their own safety for the sake of the Gospel? So much for Maslow's hierarchy of needs. According to Maslow, safety ranks way above self-actualization; second only to physiological needs. Yet we see the apostles giving their all to preach and teach the gospel of the kingdom. Safety needs pale in comparison to the need to obey God. The apostles found all their needs met by God. They found joy even in the midst of their lack of safety. My greatest need is not physiological or even safety. My greatest need is God and he is the provider of all my other needs.

It is quite idolatrous of me to have my needs to outrank God. It is unbecoming of the kingdom of God to think that my service to others is contingent upon the satisfaction of my needs. If I make God my everything and obedience to him my priority, then I am able to serve despite my hunger. I will be able to serve despite unsafe surroundings and threats. Obedience to God becomes my food. God himself becomes my safety. Iam able to give to others because my needs are satisfied by my God.

Dear Lord, may I never make your gifts and provision a requirement to obey and serve you. Make me see that you are all I need. Amen.

Matthew 20:17-19 Jesus Foretells His Death

Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem and informs his disciples that his death awaits him there. I am not sure that I would have the courage to continue my journey. For sure, we all are on our way to Jerusalem because death awaits us all, but to know the kind of death that awaits you is another thing. Jesus pressed on knowing the kind of death he would suffer.

His knowledge was not limited to his death, but he was very aware that death would not keep a grip on him. He also announced his resurrection to his disciples. The Scriptures tell us that for the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross. The joy of knowing that death could not hold him. The joy of knowing that through his death he offered life to all humanity. The joy of going back to the Father where he came from. Suffering is bearable when there is hope of a better future. Hope gives us joy and peace in our suffering.

This thought is so appropriate for the season I am living. Lent has begun and it is a time to remember the life and ministry of my Lord culminating with the celebration of his death and resurrection. It is a time to seek God. It is a time to train myself to be closer to him so that I may grow in godliness. It is a time to shed old bad habits that cripple my relationship with God and begin new habits that will promote my spiritual growth.

As Lent unfolds, may I look forward to Easter Sunday. As my Lord was able to press on with life despite his sufferings because of the joy set before him, may I also press on with life knowing the living hope I have in my God and his promises. As he looked forward to his resurrection, may I also look forward to mine with my heart filled with joy and my mind overflowing with peace in the midst of whatever circumstances I am going through today.

Lord, may I seek you during this Lent season with all my heart. Fill me with the hope of the resurrection. May your joy and peace overflow in me every day.

Matthew 13:44-50 Some Kingdom Parables

At times, I question my motives for being in the kingdom of God. Some people have expressed to me from time to time that they are not so sure about heaven, but they fear hell. Am I in the kingdom out of fear of hell? I pray not. As I meditate on the Scriptures and see the many following Jesus for the food and for the healing. Am I following Jesus out of need? I hope not. People tend to follow the traditions they've been taught. Am I a Christian because of tradition? I should not. As important as tradition, need, and fear are, I don't want them to be the driving force for me to be in the kingdom. What should it be?

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field that a man finds. In his joy, he sells everything he has and buys the field. I want to be like that man. The kingdom of God should be the joy of my life. A joy that deserves my selling everything I have to acquire it. The kingdom of God is not mere duty and drudgery, but great pleasure and happiness. Have I lost my first love - a time when the joy of the Lord was overwhelming and bubbling all over everything I did?

The kingdom of God is like a merchant in search of fine pearls who finds one of great value. The great value of the pearl moves him to sell everything he had to buy it. I want to be like that merchant who appreciates its value. Is there anything more valuable than the kingdom? Lord knows the search we are on trying to find something to fill our lives. The kingdom of God is no sacrifice. It is not a losing transaction, but a worthy one. We win out of this deal! Why do I set my eyes on earthly things and make them more important, even more useful than the kingdom of God?

The kingdom of God is like a net thrown into the sea and gathers fish of every kind that are sorted as good and bad - evil and righteous. The good go into containers and the bad are thrown out. The Lord speaks of the final judgment and the reality of hell - a fiery furnace; a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. But my focus should not be on hell, but on the reward! The righteous will be gathered by the angels to be with the Lord. Who doesn't like a reward? I want to be in the kingdom because I'm looking forward to the reward just like Moses.

Lord, don't let fear, need, and tradition be the motivators of my following you. Fill my heart with joy. May your kingdom and its business be my joy. May I appreciate its value and never complain of sacrificing anything  to follow you. May I work in the kingdom looking forward to my reward.