August 2012 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

"The Party” is over. On August 12^th, the curtain fell on the London 2012 Olympics. The Closing Ceremony, showcasing the best of British musical performers, was described as a warm, inclusive affair. Everyone appeared to have enjoyed “The Party”. The host country, shrunk from an empire on which the sun never set, expressed disbelief at coming 3^rd in the medals table after USA and China, amassing a haul of 29 gold medals!

The Book of Daniel in the Bible outlined the major Kingdoms that ruled the world since the Fall of Man:

[Dan 2:31-35 NIV]

31 "You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue — an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance.

32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze,

33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay.

34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them.

35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing-floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
 

Whilst the British Empire (Kingdom), symbolized by the legs of iron, conquered a large part of the world, the last Kingdom will conquer the whole world, admittedly briefly. It will be headed by the AntiChrist. This last Kingdom on earth, before the return of the Lord Jesus, is symbolized by the feet of iron and clay; it will be smashed by the rock (Jesus Christ).

Whilst the Olympics events push the boundary of human abilities through sporting events in the natural, spiritually, they honour and exalt the god of the world.

I personally believe that the 2012 Olympics was fittingly held in London as the last “Party” on earth. In its conception, demonstrated beautifully in the design of the Olympics torch, uniting the nations of the world in the opening ceremony, signifying an altar for the god of the world. In the Closing Ceremony, we saw the design of a phoenix rising from the ashes, resurrecting a Kingdom that exalts human endeavors and achievements. Spiritually, the god of the world is making an attempt to unite the world and prepare for the rise of the AntiChrist. 
 

This is the time for all believers of Jesus Christ to be alert as the greatest deception sets in. Watch out for all the signs mentioned in Matthew 24:

[Matt 24:7-8]

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Whilst we are witnessing Matthew 24 before our very eyes, the Book of Revelation gives further  insights as to what are to come:  

[Rev 12:8-9]

The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
 

The devil and his angels, who used to roam in the 2^nd heaven, will be hurled to the earth. They will go on to rule and reign in the last Kingdom on earth with great deception for 42 months.

[Rev 13:15-17]

15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.

16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,

17 so that no-one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

This is the biggest challenge for all believers: NOT TO RECEIVE THE MARK OF THE BEAST, a computer chip that will be needed for buying or selling. Our very salvation will be at stake!
 

Our God is righteous and everlasting; His precepts are forever right.  “Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right. The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight. Your statutes are for ever right; give me understanding that I may live. [Ps 119:137-144]

We will see the power of our God being displayed before our very eyes; He will punish the guilty with whirlwind, storm, earthquake and flood. “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet……The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it. Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him…..with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of…….his foes……” [Nah 1:3-13]
 

“These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you………He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. [Rev 3:1-6] Let us endure in our faith and overcome the plan of the AntiChrist. When we do this, our names, found in the book of life, will be acknowledged by Jesus before the Heavenly Father and His angels!

“My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart for ever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,” [Prov 6:20-23]

May 2012 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

The famous Sermon on the Mount described a scene when Jesus taught His disciples on the 8 Beatitudes. He went on to teach them about being Salt & Light in the world:

[Matt 5:13-16]

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

I feel that churches today do not teach enough on this particular teaching. As a result, most believers are church-based Christians with little impact in the world they live in. As a Christian leader who is also working full time in the marketplace, I witness this first hand!

This can also be due to a lack of understanding about the Kingdom of God.

 

The Kingdom of God comes to where the principles of God (righteousness and justice) are practiced. So often, they are confined to the church environment.

If we truly obey Jesus teachings to be Salt & Light in the world, we need to understand that the Kingdom of God encompasses the entire Universe. We need to start bringing the Kingdom of God to wherever we are – in our homes, universities, workplaces, society…… The wisdom of how to do it would be taught through the local churches [Eph. 3:10].

I believe that if we persistently and conscientiously advance God’s Kingdom wherever we are, God will grant us His favour and help.

As I shared before, besides building God’s people in church on Sundays, I also treat my engineering consultancy job as a ministry. After one year, I am seeing the following results:

   1)    My boss introduces me to everyone as an engineer and a pastor

   2)    The company was awarded Caring Company for providing free service to a Charity which employs the “disabled”.

3)    I am the Chairman of the company’s Sports & Social Club which runs a number of interest groups including Putonghua, photography, cake-making, sports, picnics, Bible study, prayers. This helped to transform the image & atmosphere of the company and the spirit of the staff.

4)    We hold monthly birthday celebration for birthday staff. The cakes are made by members of the Cake-making Interest Group. This helps to promote love & care in the company.

5)    For our company brochure, I helped to draft the Company Philosophy (Vision) Statement as follows: “

{Company Name} always aspire to excellence. We value and practice teamwork in all our projects, encouraging and promoting team spirit in our own staff and in our business associates and clients. We believe in the creation of optimized, context-responsive, tailor-made services through clear communication on Day 1.

Our company strives to achieve success through our core values based on our philosophy of “DREAM” – a “dream” company, a “dream” team and a “dream” workplace:

D for Dedication 

We remain dedicated in all our commissions, both during the consultancy and  any post consultancy
services required, giving peace of mind to our clients.

R for Reliability   

We understand the importance of reliability in the delivery of our services in terms of both quality and programme, and we aim to meet such expectations from our clients.

E for Excellence 

We cultivate excellence in our staff through continuous professional development (CPD), equipping
them in state-of-the art technical knowledge and good project management techniques in our services.

A for Authenticity  

We appreciate the need to be genuine in our relationship with our business associates and clients. We firmly believe that honesty is the best policy.

M for Market-leader

We aspire to become a market leader in our fields of services and we shall continue to develop our
companies to achieve this goal, delivering excellent services to our clients and business associates
and a sense of pride in our staff.

If we want to see God’s Kingdom on earth, may be all Christ followers need to have a paradigm shift in our mindset and start engaging the world as Salt and Light Christians on a 24/7 basis besides praying “may Your Kingdom come”!

This is my prayer – “Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in your righteousness.” [Ps 119:33-40 NIV]

Do not do a Jonah, although we are in an environment that is hostile to the Gospel. Let us cooperate with God and He will help us. No one can run away from God’s calling any way! “The word of the LORD came to Jonah……"Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish…..Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea…..they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm……the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. [Jonah 1:1-5,11-17 NIV]

Know the time we are in, the end of all things are near – “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him……..grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. [2 Peter 3:10-18 NIV]

The wisdom of God tells us that “Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. Like cutting off one's feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by.” [Prov 26:1-2 NIV]

March 2012 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

On 27 Jan., by divine appointment, a sister from Shanghai (let me call her Sister E for security reason) visited the BBC School. I found out that she has a marketplace ministry in Shanghai. We met up a couple of times since to talk about her ministry and she formally asked me to provide spiritual covering for her. On Sunday, 12 Feb., I formally prayed for her in church and told her that I would visit her from time to time.

Three days later, on Wed. 15 Feb., I received an invitation from the Senior Vice President of the Institution of Structural Engineers, UK to be an Examiner for an exam. in Shanghai for 57 Class 1 Engineers from different parts of China on 19 & 20 Mar.. God’s timing was amazing!

Sister E went back to Shanghai on 19 Feb and started to plan for my visit at short notice! By God’s grace, she managed to put together two programmes, one each for the 17 and 18 Mar..

Kim and I landed in Putong Airport on Friday, 16 Mar., our first ever visit to Shanghai!

1)      Saturday, 17 March – Graduation Ceremony for 5 Alpha Course graduates.

It was held in a very nice club house restaurant where each attendee pay RMB 100 for a dessert buffet and had the use of the venue for free. I used that opportunity to share my testimony about coming to faith in Christ at the age of 42. About 25 people attended the celebration party and 7 newcomers signed up for a new Alpha Course due to commence on 21 Mar..

2)      Sunday, 18 March – Water Baptism for 11 new believers.

The venue was not found even a week before the meeting and a big turnout was expected. Miraculously God provided a venue 3 days before the meeting. A Christian business woman opened her 3-storey house for our use. Some 40 people attended.

The meeting was from 10:00 to 12:00am. A few of us went there early to water baptize a blind sister who had to go to work that morning. When she was young an explosion caused the blindness. Her face was also badly scared. The house maid witnessed the baptism and we could see that she was visibly touched. Tears run down her face!

At 10:00am, the meeting started with praise and worship. In my message, I shared about “Faith That Brings Victory” from [Heb. 11:30] based on the story of Jericho. I then dedicated a one year plus boy to the Lord. This was followed by a testimony of one of the sisters who was getting water baptized. She supplemented her testimony with a song she had written. It was a very moving song. I was led by the Holy Spirit to seize the opportunity to do an Alter Call. Five visitors responded and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Praise the Lord! I then water baptized 11 New Believers. It was a blessed and joyful occasion!

Kim and I then went to lunch with a few of the leaders. We decided to go back to the house to see if the maid would like to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord & Saviour. She did. I led her through the Sinner’s Prayer and also water baptized her!

I was amazed how ripe the harvest field in China was and how open the people were. God is definitely moving in the Nation! 

Upon our return to Hong Kong, I received a message from Sister E that the number of people signed up for the Alpha Course that was due to start on Wednesday 21 Mar. had increased from 7 to 13. I am truly humbled at what God is doing in China and I give Him all the glory!

I give thanks to God for the few days I spent in Shanghai. I give thanks for the six people (including the house maid) who came to faith in Jesus Christ. I give thanks for the 13 people who were water baptized. I give thanks for the 13 people who have signed up to join the Alpha Course. “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever……Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."………The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. [Ps 118:1-9 NIV]

The Lord’s return to judge the world is near. In the meantime, He is patiently extending His Love to those who humbly accept His Lordship. But for those who reject His Love……"In that day," declares the Sovereign LORD, "I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. I will turn your religious feasts into mourning and all your singing into weeping. I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day. "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land- not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. "In that day "the lovely young women and strong young men will faint because of thirst. They who swear by the shame of Samaria, or say, 'As surely as your god lives, O Dan,' or, 'As surely as the god of Beersheba lives'-they will fall, never to rise again." [Amos 8:9-14 NIV]

Indeed, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen……For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" [1 Peter 4:7-19 NIV]

Let us be clear that “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice………There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. [Prov 21:1-3,30,31 NIV]

January 2012 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Linsanity, Lincredible, Linpossible, Linfinite….are some of the words played by the media to describe Asian sensation Jeremy Lin who has scored more points in his first five NBA starts (playing for New York Knicks) than Jordan and Lebron since 1976.

With his sudden rise from NBA benchwarmer to must-see TV, Lin, 23, has crushed all kinds of conventions – like the one that said he was a nice Ivy League player but would never thrive in the NBA. Lin, an Asian American and a Harvard grad, is a first. Harvard has produced more US Presidents (eight) than NBA players (four, and none since 1950s).

In college, Lin faced additional challenges, including frequent racial taunts – real original stuff like a fan yelling, “Sweet-and-sour pork!” When Lin entered the gym for one summer-league game, someone redirected him: no one was playing volleyball that night!

Bill Plaschke’s recent article in LA Times titled “Knick’s Jeremy Lin Holds Mirror Up To America” has made a valid point about the issue.

Of all the drives, dunks and dazzling shots Jeremy Lin is forcing upon the stars of the NBA, none of it compares with the moves he's putting on a larger collection of everyday people. Jeremy Lin has dribbled America into the previously quiet corner of its casual prejudice and lazy stereotypes of Asian Americans.

It's been barely two weeks since the beginning of a tale that rocked the sports world with great basketball and bad puns, but so much already has changed. When America now looks at Lin, it should see more than an Asian American kid from Harvard who overcame ignorance at every level to become a star guard for the New York Knicks. America should see itself in the murky reflection of a society that has long considered it reasonable to publicly categorize Asian Americans in ways that would never be acceptable for other, more vocal minorities.

America should see the game video from the Knicks' MSG network in which cameras focused on a homemade sign that showed Lin's face above a fortune cookie with the words, "The Knicks Good Fortune.''


"In this country, Asian Americans are stereotyped as the meek and the mild, the ones who will always take the racism," said Daryl Maeda, an associate professor of ethnic studies at the University of Colorado who specializes in Asian American studies. ''There is a perception that it's OK to offend Asian Americans because they simply won't fight back.''

There was finally push-back last weekend at ESPN, which fired one employee and suspended another for separately describing the Knicks' first loss with Lin as a starter as a "Chink in the armor." In marginalizing the Jeremy Lin story, that newsman actually illustrated its real importance. This newfound basketball force has forced Americans to take a deep breath and think. He has forced America to realize it has become too comfortable compartmentalizing Asian Americans with a list of stereotypes that are misguided, mean-spirited and just plain wrong. Such as that one that says, you know, they can't play sports.

"The one thing I think is interesting about this whole Jeremy Linsanity is that it has forced us to think about how we think and talk about race in general,'' Maeda said. "Asian Americans have long been put into this safe little slot, and Jeremy has taken us out of those places.''

What blesses my heart most about Jeremy Lin is not so much his achievement as an Asian American in a sport that is dominated by non-Asian. It is really his Christian faith that is most inspiring. Before each game, Lin and his Christian teammate Landry Fields would geek out with a handshake ritual:

1)    Fields and Lin exchange snappy high fives with opposite hands

2)    They pretend to don glasses, because nerds wear glasses

3)    Fields, like Lin a devout Christian, presents Lin with an invisible Bible

4)    Lin whizzes through the pages. Must be a speed reader.

5)    Old and New Testaments read, both players remove their glasses…

6)    ….and stick the in shirt pockets…

7)    Both players then point skyward to their God before taking the floor

Lin's is a story of perseverance and persistence, of hard work and humility. But most of all, Lin's is a story of strong faith in Jesus Christ, of devotion to Bible study and prayer and of commitment to spreading the Gospel whenever he gets the opportunity.

"Much of it comes down to humility," Lin said. "We as Christians are called to be humble. And if we really understand the Gospel, we will be humble. We should be humble, and understand that everything that is good comes from God."

What a testimony!

It is right for every Christian to testify about God. Give thanks to the LORD….make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles…….[Ps 105:1-10 NIV]

Jeremy Lin has the right idea about humility. It will keep us from becoming proud and forget our God when we are doing well. "But I am the LORD your God, [who brought you] out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me…..” [Hos 13:4-8 NIV]

Jeremy Lin and many others before him are great examples of witness. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart……No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees! [Heb 12:1-12 NIV]

We who believe have been made righteous through Christ. We are blessed as we continue to live a life of righteousness. “The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner…..The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out……Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. [Prov 13:5-6,9,21,22 NIV]

December 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Year 2012 will mark the beginning of the end of the world. A 7-year Tribulation will precede the end. Some says the Tribulation is imminent, whilst some says it has already started, by judging recent disastrous events happening in the world, be it economic or natural.

It is without doubt that the end is near. The only certain timing is what was prophesied in Daniel 7 and Daniel 12:

[Dan 7:25 NIV]

25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.

[Dan 12:7,10-12 NIV]

7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

11 "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

“Time, times and half a time” represents the 2nd half of the 7-year Tribulation which will start “from the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up.”

The abomination that causes desolation is set up when the Anti-Christ reveals himself to the world and set himself up as the Lord of the world.

My estimate is that all these, including the end, will occur within this decade, i.e. before 2020!

At a time such as this, “blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end”. To make it possible, may I suggest you become a saint, i.e. by doing 5 things, each starting with one letter of the word SAINT:

1) Seek God’s face and His presence always

2) Aware of Satan’s evil schemes

3) Invest in God’s Kingdom with all you have – talents, time, energy, money….

4) Not giving up on your faith whatever happens

5) Trust in the Lord always

If you are not a believer in Jesus yet, it is time to accept Jesus into your life as your personal Lord & Saviour, before it is too late! You can believe in your heart and confess with your mouth by saying the following prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I want to turn away from my sins; I am willing to begin a new life with Your help. Thank you for shedding Your blood on the cross so my sins could be forgiven. Lord Jesus, please forgive my sins and come into my heart and my life right now. From this moment forward, my life belongs to You and You alone. I will love You, serve You, tell others about You, and trust You to live Your life through me. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen!”

It is time to acknowledge the Lordship of our Creator God and accept our dependence on Him. “How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works — he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD. [Ps 104:24-35 NIV]

The same call came from Prophet Hosea who was confident of the Lord’s return one day. "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." [Hos 6:1-3 NIV]

Indeed, let us come to God with confidence for He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." [Heb 4:12-16 NIV]

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let nothing distract us from ways that are firm. “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor." Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. [Prov 4:5-9, 24-27 NIV]