Musings during the Pandemic #17

Some of you may have heard this scripture verse : You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32). Many of us know in our mind what the Truth is, but in our hearts we still have many doubts. What are the truths revealed to us through the Word?

• I am the Way, the Truth and the Life – no one comes to the Father except through me (Jn 14:6)

• I am with you always, until the end of time (Matt 28:20)

• Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there with them (Matt 18:20)

I would like to remind you that we serve a mighty and amazing God – a God that has limitless power and a limitless heart full of love for you and me. However, because of how we are being programmed in school and in society, we tend to put God in a box – we think we can decide and tell God what He can or cannot do. We think we are smarter and better than God.

Another common act in practice by Christians is that we think that God is our genie – I wish for something and God must give it to me – otherwise He is a lousy and useless God. He is only “useful” if he is manipulated and arm-twisted to do what we want – I can sometimes hear this in the testimonies that is being shared – something like…….”God you better do something”…….or else what? What we say reflects who we are. Jesus once said what comes out of our mouth comes from our heart.

18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

_{Matthew 15:18-20}

Is God your genie? I pray and not wish, because I have a God and not a genie. The Word of God also tells us that without Faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We need to believe that God exist and His love for us is everlasting. We need to believe that He is able to give us what is good for us in every situation. Sometimes we need to wait and because everything needs to be instant in our society, we cannot wait and openly declare that God has abandoned us.

Where are you, God – again I wish to remind you, Is God your God or your genie? Does He have to answer you immediately? Is He the master or you are the master? It is also because of this that many turn to occult practices for quick responses – Bomohs, fortune tellers, tarot cards, Ouija boards, new age practices like reiki and chi gong. To get instant results. Ephesian 3 : 20 tells of a God who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. Our God is well able to supply all our needs and answer our prayers as we simply put all our trust in Him.

One powerful promise of God is found in Jeremiah 33:3. When you call on the name of Jesus, He will answer you. Why? How come? Because He already promised. Jeremiah 29:12 You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.

For those who have gone through hardships and is still going through hardships – overwhelming debts, bad report on health, broken family, unable to prosper in career or school – no progress, being bullied, no hope…….Our God has also promised that He will restore to us ALL that the locust has eaten – Joel 2:25-27. Your time of liberation is near. Believe that God is able to change your circumstance. Psalm 91 also holds a powerful promise that says God will save you because you love Him. Because you know Him, He will protect you. When you call, He will answer. He will be with you in times of trouble. He will rescue you and honor you. I love this verse because God did exactly this for me. With God all things are possible. Impossible is not in God’s vocabulary. The Word of God declares – Is anything too hard for the Lord? Learn to take the word “impossible” out of your vocabulary and trust God to do wonders. 

Although life can be tough, we must look at things positively, trust God wholeheartedly and believe that God is always with us. We may be hard pressed on every side, but we are not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. (Song : I’m trading my sorrows) Worship Him often. Come before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. (Pay the price – wake up early, travel extra distance to come to church every morning – remember God’s promise in Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Pay the price – nothing is “FREE”.

Be encouraged and lay down all your burdens at His feet, learn to recognise His voice, listen to what He says to you and dwell in His presence. In the presence of God, evil cannot remain. Remember Jesus saying how much more the Father is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.