Pharaohs in Pandemic: Are You One of Them?

“I have sinned... Go, serve the Lord your God… forgive my sin… and plead with the Lord… to remove this death from me.. be gone and bless me also!”

-Exodus 9:27, 10:16, 10: 24, 12:31

 

“When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this that we have done, that we have the Israelites go from serving us?  … And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel…"

-Exodus 14:5, 8

The ten plagues that God had sent in Egypt is one of the most familiar Bible stories. Through Moses, God displayed His power in plagues to convince Pharaoh to let His people go. We can imagine the ancient world of Egypt as they were both amazed and terrified to see these things happening. Despite this, we know in the ending that Pharaoh chose to rebel against God.  

Going back to some details of the story, I realized that Pharaoh actually considered surrendering to God a few times during the plagues -- that is even before the final plague. He knew in his heart that he is overpowered by God.  That once God gets to act, he loses all his control and no effort he can do to prevent anything to happen that God wills. 

However, as soon as the Lord stops the plague, he goes back to his haughty self, and convinces himself that he is above God. He has seen the power of God but still decides to defy him instead of obeying Him. He refused to let go of God's people and disobeyed Him - that which brought punishment to him and his people.

During the height of COVID 19, many people realized that without God, they have no hope. It was inevitable to wake up to the reality that this life and everything in it will soon perish. Influence, power and wealth have nothing to do with a person’s safety.  Only a fool can deny that it is solely by the hand of God that this virus can be controlled, and by His will alone that lives can be saved. 

People cried out to God for help, thirst for His Word of hope, and “chase” after His salvation. Despite holding online worship services, our attendance spiked up.  Friends whom I haven’t seen for a long time in church attended without fail, even in Bible studies. Truly, God has shown His power through this pandemic, just like through the plagues in Egypt. People feared for their lives and saw no hope but to surrender to God.

But just like Pharaoh, as soon as things go back to normal — with vaccines and cases decreased —most of those who came with fervent hearts, vanished one by one. When things get back to what it’s used to be, they forgot the One who holds all things together.  The One who protected, comforted, healed and saved them. They changed their hearts as swiftly as Pharaoh changed his.  

Are you like Pharaoh? —that even after witnessing God’s power in this pandemic, you still choose to harden your heart, go your own way, and rebel against Him? Do you forcefully put God at the back seat of your heart and restrain your conscience on feeling the need for Him?

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” Hebrews 3:7

Whom Have I in Heaven?

 

Reading upon chapter 73 of Psalms, David expressed his disappointment of the successes and triumphs of the wicked; doubting if his godly ways would even benefit him. And though he was well aware of God’s goodness to His people (v. 1), the worldly system filled with corruption and violence, had him thinking if his faith is in vain.

Worse but true, at the back of our heads we also say, “How can God know?” (Verse 11) — when it seems that God’s people are taken advantage of and evil men prevail. But understanding came to David when he went to the sanctuary of God; then he discerned their end (verse 17). 

Prosperity without God only results to pride and arrogance, making the wicked fall into ruin (verse 18). Days go by so swiftly, like a dream when one awakes ( verse 20) only to see that destruction and punishment are left for them.

David in his shame uttered at the last verses of this Psalm:

“I was brutish and ignorant;

I was like a beast toward you.”

Then in praises, He realized

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

You hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

And afterward you will receive me to your glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Earthly days are corrupted yet numbered. The night is here but the morning is surely coming. God does not wait for us in heaven but He takes us there. As the Spirit revealed this to David, he knew now that his portion, who is the Lord, will not and cannot be substituted by any pleasure that the wicked enjoy on the earth.

I'm Only Human

“I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.  And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh.  For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in human way?” -1 Corinthians 3: 2-3 

There was this popular song that goes, “I’m only human, born to make mistakes.”  As a Christian in my younger years, I felt that I am but a helpless victim of being a human whenever I sin. Though I will not admit it before, it was but a perfect excuse to say that my sin is not fully my fault, but a default of my humanity. 

As I grow in faith, I realized that my sinful nature must no longer be my claim.  I have been alive again in Christ, and so even I am still in the flesh, God has given me everything I need spiritually to live in righteousness.

Paul reminded me of this fact when he spoke to the Corinthians about their infancy in Christ. He told them that he cannot address them as ‘spiritual people’ but as people of the flesh.  How did Paul classify these Christians in Corinth as people still living in the flesh? 

1.  "For you were not ready for it" v. 2

Paul had been patiently teaching them the elementary truths of Christ but is also longing and willing to give them more revelations so they can grow in faith. However, it seemed that these Christians are not yet ready for the ‘meat,’ for what is seen in the way they live. They have received the Spirit, yet their behavior dictates otherwise. 

Refusing to grow from the stage of Christian infancy is one way to reflect and question the proof of one’s salvation. If I am really called by God, why then am I aloof of the things of God? Why am I blocking the light brought into my soul?  Why am I not contemplative on the sentiments of the truths told?

Spiritual hunger is one measurement of maturity in faith - knowing that the Word of God will benefit one's life more than anything else. This hunger is a desire to know more of God not just in knowledge, but in readiness to be counseled, to be convicted of sin, and to an expectation to be changed by the Spirit.  

"Spiritual hunger is one measurement of maturity in faith - knowing that the Word of God will benefit one's life more than anything else."

2.  "Jealousy and strife" v. 3

When we have success in our doings, to whom do we give credit it? When everything else do not go our way, what do we do about it? How do we take it? 

Paul pointed out that to behave in jealousy and strife is ‘of the flesh’ and ‘behaving only in a human way’. He must be meaning to say that human nature (sinful nature) is in no way an escape to respond or act in a manner that displeases God. 

Believing that God ordains everything and knowing that He is aware of the situation of all, there is no reason for me to feel uneasy, insecure, and upset if things do not go my way. If I really trust God’s providence, I must battle with my anxiety and know that God is with me. If my brother lacks anything, then I must be more than willing to fill the void, for I myself have been filled willingly and graciously by God and others. If I am suffering, I will remember that God is my strength. Jealousy must be overcome with trust in the Lord that the state I am is where He wants me to be.  Strife must be overcome with love knowing that God has shown love to me even in my most difficult and loathsome self.

"If I really trust God’s providence, I must battle with my anxiety and know that God is with me."

Paul did not deny the spiritual gifts that the Corinthians received, however he reminded them that If success comes, it is not because they are wise with their dealings, but it's because of God’s mighty hand. Even if they have labored, the growth was not because of their work but ultimately because God brought growth -be it materially or spiritually. 

So then let it be a reminder for me, that through God's sufficient grace, I will continue to work out for my salvation on the foundation that the Lord Himself had laid upon for me. I may struggle in my humanity but His power is made perfect for my weakness.

Turning the World Upside Down

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“And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,” Acts 17:6

To “change the world” - is the ultimate goal of a revolutionized mind. History tells us that many people brought in ideas that had uplifted things from the way they were. Some strived to change cultural views, others discovered new technologies, while a number of them pioneered genres in music, sports, and fashion. Change might have come, but it didn’t really come throughout the world. Influences might have been great but not too great to affect the whole world, in all its areas and all people.

Except for a time in history, when two men from Israel, namely Paul and Silas, came to Thessalonica for a purpose that would change the world, not just in their time, but through all time.  They were marked as “men who have turned the world upside down,” (Acts 17:6) which proved to be true at a later time, despite having the statement’s initial intentions to mean in a dissentient way. Both Paul and Silas were early converts of Christianity, who with other disciples, traveled around the world for a divine purpose. 

Christians are called to make a difference in this dying world, which is to become salt and light in it. Corporately, as His church, we must take part in this calling. It would be hard, wearisome, and could be lingering, too. Take the case of Paul and Silas, they were driven out, threatened, and mocked when they took a step of faith.  But God has come before any persecutions they would ever encounter. He promised that He “will be with them always.”  Certainly, He had prospered their mission despite opposition.  Soon enough, people in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria have come to know the faith.  And as these Christians live and die for their faith, the gospel was preached and believed to the ends of the earth. 

But how did they do it? The whole book of Acts narrated it all. However, chapter 17 pieced it into two initial but major tasks:

1. Proclaiming Jesus is Christ.  The Scriptures say that for three Sabbath days, Paul reasoned with both Jews and Gentiles in Thessalonica, "explaining and proving to them that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead,” and that this Messiah was Jesus. People were expecting a Messiah, but a very different one from what God has prepared. They were expecting a great and glorious king, but not someone who will have to suffer and die. But as Paul establishes through the Scriptures that this suffering and triumphant Messiah is Jesus (RSB commentary), many were persuaded and believed. From that moment on, Jews and Gentile God-fearers, including "leading women”, became those earliest Christians who joined Paul in this gospel quest. 
   
   
2. Standing against all ungodliness. Paul’s zealousness in proclaiming the gospel was not restricted to that task alone.  But it was also tied with admonishing wrong beliefs and practices of religion. Paul even went as far as feeling provoked (Acts 17:16) on the idolatry of Athens.  Sadly, getting “provoked” to unbiblical practices nowadays is negatively received even in evangelical circles.  Most Christians dispose of tolerance even to those absolute, obvious disobedience, which then they interpret as the more “Christian way” than laying down reproof and correction. Paul expressed an unambiguous point when he brought up Athen’s idolatry.  His tone is straightforward.  He has but one clear objective, and that is to turn their eyes to Jesus. His provocation was turned into an instant gospel-preaching session.  He did not delay and withhold anything.  He toppled their objects of worship brazenly and proved their “wise quotes” (v. 28) untrue unless it is directed to the Lord of heaven and earth. He did not play safe— never ever.  Instead, he was always discerning and deliberate. He delivered God’s message for what it is. 

Are we called to change the world? No. But just like Paul and Silas, we were called to proclaim the gospel that brings salvation to mankind. The world may be subject to vanity (Romans 8:20) but the message that we have brings hope for future, eternal glory to a spiritually dead damned soul— there’s no other change in the world ever more needed than that!  This is the mission and purpose of every Christian. It is not simply a challenge but a command to obey. Our Lord has given us the power to perform this task (Acts 1:8). So it is not whether you can do it, but will you do it? Will you join us in turning this world upside down?

A Year of Tribulations

Now that a new year has come, our hopes are renewed for a better life. We think of prosperity, for smooth relationship paths, promotions, and pleasant ministering experiences. We humbly ask God to favor us this year and to bring good things in our way. As Christians, we know no other means more fitting than depend on God and faithfully hope that He would look upon us with mercy. 

When we look to the future, all is but vague hues of expectations and aspirations. The details of our lives are so uncertain. It is only but natural to hope for beautiful things, but these hopes become wrong when it eventually translates to entitlement. It seems as though, when problems, sufferings, and persecutions come, God is against us. And instead of looking to God more eagerly, we look the other way. We dissolve in sorrow and waste away in our anxieties. 

Acts 14:22 reads, 

“…strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” 

Christians are called to go through tribulations as we enter the kingdom of God. It was not an unsettled and ambiguous statement of Paul, but rather an incontestable reminder for us to be prepared. However terrifying this may be, this passage is afloat of two encouragements for us.

1. A Determined Path. 

When tribulation comes to us, we are instinctively distressed about it. But when we look into this passage, we know that tribulations were already set upon Christians to walk into as we live our faith in Christ. If we suffer in this life and approach it in the attitude of Christ, it is almost as if we see ourselves walking with Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress through that "straight path" to Celestial City. So in one way, we may be distressed but we also rejoice in suffering and persecutions knowing that we are in the path where God wants us to be. Only true Christians would understand this state of emotions.

2. A Determined Destination. 

This is the greatest comfort and joy we must hold onto. Our journey might be hard and full of defiance, but the Lord had already gone before us - not only that but He had set our destination. 2 Corinthians 4: 17 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Our future dwelling is in heavenly realms with our Lord God. And "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). We will behold God’s glory and enjoy our fellowship with Him and His saints forever.

Today’s future must prepare us for tribulations. But let us not shrink back for we are also assured of God's grace. Paul charges us to “continue in the faith” for he knew that God is the One who will sustain us throughout our journey. May it be our encouragement that every step we take brings us nearer to our ultimate future- our future glory with Christ our Lord.

Enoch, the Man Taken by God

                      image: google

"By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found because God has taken him. Now before he was taken and he was commended as having pleased God.  And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever draw near to God must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:5-6

Hebrews 11 talked about mighty men of God from different generations who exemplified extraordinary faith. Many a time we have heard about a man named Enoch who was one of the champions of faith in this chapter. He is known on those few verses as the one who ‘was taken away by God and then was no more.’  The Bible mentioned little about him, yet his experience cannot be discounted. The few verses that determined his person communicate so much more to us if only we would look closely.

On how he was taken, surely it was the whole of him. As many commentators believed, Enoch was taken wholly in his physical body to be with the Lord since verse 5 says, ‘... that he should not see death, and he was not found.’ Interestingly, God did not take him because he had faith that he will be taken by Him, for he had already lived 365 years when God took him.  And in those years, Enoch had lived pleasing God; confirming in verse 6 that he pleased God with his faith. (For it is impossible to please God without faith.)  I noted to myself, he pleased God. For 365 300 years (ref. Gen. 5:21). 

Many would declare that they would die for Christ, yet many of us struggle to live for Him. That daily basis of battle is overwhelmingly exhausting. At times, it even overcomes us. How did Enoch do it? As I study Hebrews 11, I realized that living out our faith would only be possible through faith as well! 

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17

The undeniable truth of living a holy life makes it much easier to just excuse ourselves oftentimes. This difficult task will only be resolved if we will seriously consider these bases as our cause to labor well in our walk.

1. That God and His Providence are ever present with us. 

It makes it easier for a man to bear his cross with patience knowing that God’s sovereignty is always present even at a time of affliction.  That despite sufferings lay upon him, he knew that the Lord had already determined it for his good, no matter how visibly distressing it is. For if you walk with the King, who could dare do you wrong? “So, he that walks with God, what evil can touch him?” (W. Perkins). The point is, people around you may think of evil against you, but the Lord has the power to dispose of it all for your good.

We remember Joseph the Dreamer, the guy who was plotted by his brothers to death. But then again, providentially, their plan changed to subject him to slavery. He suffered for many years as a slave and then was thrown to prison. Later on, the Lord prospered him to be the second most powerful man next to the Pharoah in Egypt at a time that powers will be recognized more than ever. When his brothers discovered who he became, they feared him.  But then he argued, “Fear not… for am I not under God?” (Gen. 50:19)

2. That We are in God’s Presence

That consciousness that we are in the very presence of God every second of our life persuades our choices to please him than ourselves. Sins become more visible to us when we see our invisible God with our hearts. His fullness is always brought to our remembrance - how righteous His judgments are and how powerful He can execute it. We flashback once more to Joseph when he was accused to have mistreated his mistress, he answered, “How shall I commit this great wickedness, and to sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).  The holy company of God keeps him away from committing sins.

The duty of our faith to be faithful is dependent not on itself but on the God who gifted us this wondrous grace. To have faith on His providence and His presence is to bring remembrance that we are not our own but belong to God, and for that, we are preserved until His return. Soli Deo Gloria!

Reference: Hebrews 11 Commentary by William Perkins

Life is like a breath. How have you used it so far?

O Lord, make me know my end

and what is the measure of my days;

let me know how fleeting I am!

Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,

and my lifetime is as nothing before.

Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath

Surely a man goes about as a shadow!

Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;

man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!"

-Psalm 39:4-6

If I were to measure life, how would I evaluate it? Through the number of years, achievements, relationships, or wealth? Perceptions may differ but the question remains, which measurement really quantifies?  We haven’t been at the end of our course, but surely our glimpse is crystal clear, and so we know the answer to that question.

We drift away with this so-called "life"

It is not unknown that people drift away with this so-called "life.” We are like the Israelites, gathering meat in the desert, thinking it will be stored away until we need it, only to find out soon enough that the maggots had their share.  What a waste of time! All the hard work put into it.  The Lord clearly told them what is to be done; gather what is enough for the day. They have known what to do from the start, but they chose another way, a way seemed good to them.

Fast forward to our times now, we are so consumed with the things going on in our lives.  Getting a promotion, fancy cars, building a house, raising children, establishing a business -name it, all the things that fill our heads. This is what we must do and we have to fulfill and we have to achieve. Then we all shout, “For the future!” How confident we are! Psalm says, surely, we confuse ourselves with such things. 

Then turn away from God

We turn our heads away from what God has called us to do. No? What are we busy today? What is the longing of our soul? We ponder our earthly needs more than our spiritual life. Our pleasure craves perishable things rather than eternal ones. The more we deny, the more we sink deep in the turmoil, inadvertently grasping the invisible idols we have built.

And then we laugh shamelessly. It would pass by like every other day, we thought. The same day as the times that we have ignored our conscience and embrace our earthly pleasures and treasures. We toil yet we will never know who will gather our wealth. What vanity! If all we have today is what we see, we are miserable!  If what we deem important do not differ from a natural man, then where is our hope? 

The Psalmist realized that he is at the mercy of God. The Lord can “consume like a moth what is dear to him” as he disciplines him for his sin. And so he cried out to God, “Deliver me from my transgressions” and “look away from me.”  

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you."

Stand or fall, or both? 

What is there to hope for? All other things are mere sand that can be tossed by waves. It is destined to be ruined and bury you nowhere deep. Run to the Rock, a sure foundation. Yes, there will be tossing and beating, but a man whose hope is in God will stand in the midst of his scorners. He may stumble and fall, but His grace will lift him up in all the storms. 

Like a breath, a shadow, or as nothing before God, may we see our lives as it is, and not to indulge into things that do not profit our eternity.  Every moment is a rare opportunity to please our Maker, may we not miss it. And when the time comes that we take our last, we will see His the light of His face and rejoice in His presence.