Wow! We're in the new year now! It's 2009! Another year older another year wiser...we hope.
Looking back at 2008, I think Pastor (watchnight service) got it spot on when he said the one best word to describe the past year was 'disaster' 灾...How apt.
Even the seemingly auspicious Olympics (08/08/08 8:88pm) did nothing to soothe the pain and dread of the bygone year.
Ironic isn't it that here in Singapore we marvel at the midnight fireworks while the Palestinians watch the smoke, dust and fire from Israeli bombs at countdown?
Indeed 2008 was nothing to shout about; Achievements few, changes aplenty.
But we thank God for His faithfulness, in fulfilling His prophecies and giving peace to those trust in Him.
As I review the year, I fully understand and submit (Again when I use this word, as in my previous post, I feel guilty because it is so easy for us in safe Singapore to say it) to why the world has slid on the slippery slope.
Revelation 6 gives perfect insight on God's will for the last days (I am no proponent of the imminent view of Jesus' coming but believe we should always be on our toes just like the 10 virgins in Matt 25).
Rising epidemics - check
Financial turmoil - check
Wars - check
Rising medical costs - check
More Wars - check
Rising costs of neccesities - check
Natural disasters - check
More and more Wars - check...
Really, even as we wish and hope and resolute, the world is not going to turn for the better in 2009. Remember I am no pessimist, I would be the least of that.
But I really want and need to thank God, over and over, for being the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. The fulfilment of His own words gives us hope and affirmation that Jesus will come again for those who call unto His name!
The challenges/burdens of this age are truly too great for anyone without Jesus to bear. Listen to the everyday conversations of your family, friends, colleagues, classmates and passer-bys.
Empty words with empty hope most times?
It's frustrating that I cannot convince or even tell them of God's bigger picture, that this world is more than our tvs, our homes, our schools, our offices, our businesses, our zones, our Singapore.
I thank God for YAF, though we have our innate weaknesses, we do promote our strengths.
Let us manifest our abilities and use them to greater purposes! Of course, I'm not saying we should overlook our shortcomings but as Chinese, we often choose to focus on the bad and ignore the good, let's try not to fall into this trap (on a side note, it's one of my aspirations as a parent not to commit such a 'foul'. I think my own parents put me down more than praises heaped. Thank God I turned out ok:))
YAF, we are truly a blessed nation who have been given the wisdom to understand God's good, pleasing and perfect will, so let's strive on in the new year to bring ourselves to higher ground!
May God help us to fear and revere Him (if there's one thing to take away from Proverbs, this is it); for all those who've lost sight of Him; mend our hearts; for all those crestfallen, renew our faith; for all those distanced from Him, strengthen relationships; for all those broken; rekindle our zeal; for all those lacking in service, heal; for all who're ill, bring us back to Worship; for all who lack...and keep our faith in all matters for His faithfulness endures forever!
Isaac
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