On Covenants, Promises and Prayers...

Last week for me was a constant reminder on learning how to keep my promises and vows.

The first time was Friday when we had a Bible Study on the book of Judges. Achi Hensie wasn't around so we had to split into groups of four to be headed by an assigned facilitator. The topic was a continuation of the story of Jephthah. He swore to the Lord that if the Lord gives him the victory, he would offer to God the first living thing to greet him upon his arrival. Sadly, his daughter was the first one to greet him. Of course, it was his own folly that lead to that consequence. Jephthah didn't completely trust that God would deliver even after God assured him of victory. In the end, Jephthah did what he had promised to the Lord.

* This made me think. Many times we do tend to treat God as a genie. Our wishes may go something like "I would do service if you grant me this..." or "I will tell that person about You, but first You have to..." I am reminded once again that God has His own purposes and plans and he gives us what is best for us in His own perfect will and time. I tend to believe that most of the promises that we make to God are selfish and "gut-feel" promises. Sometimes, out of the blue, we just say it without thinking, without it really coming from the heart.

Another point is that when God does provide or give your request, do we do our part of the promise? We can see daily that God has been and will always be true and faithful to His Word. How about us?

Another question might be "What is the motive for asking such a request?" May we learn to please God in our promises and may God helps us to ask for the right things.

The second reminder was last Sunday in the worship sermon. Ahia Harg was talking about having the successful life using God's standard. He's saying that we should have love that is faithful and faithfulness that has love. An example of love that is true is a family that is eating together (love) vegetables as against a person eating fattended calf by himself . An example of faithfulness that has love is a couple who dearly love each other (who truly treasure each other's wedding vows) as against a couple who do not even sleep on the same bed or do not talk with each other.

* This made me think of my future wedding vows. Maybe God doesn't want me to have "someone special" yet is because I am not ready yet to a commitment. According to the discipleship material, when God doesn't give you your request, it may be that He wants you to learn faith and perseverance. That's why I'll wait, I'll wait... and I need to learn faithful love and loving truth.

The last reminder was unexpected actually and a little related to Ahia Harg's sermon. My mom was watching a Koreanovela entitled "To Marry a Millionaire". I just happen to catch up the last few episodes, but something between the heroine and the hero struck me. I think because it was chezed kind of love! In the end, the guy said to the girl that he'll surely keep his promise to wait for her and that everday will be better. The girl said to the guy that he'll never be able to keep that promise because today (being with the guy) is best! (of course, they got back together after the hardships that tried to separate them.)

* It is romantic and somehow realistic. Oftentimes, we are afraid to tell someone we love of our problems and state because we think that we will encumber them or that we will shame them. But as the series pointed out, if we truly love that person, we are willing to share the pain and bear together the burden. I guess this is the kind of commitment that is at par to the chezed kind of love and faithfulness!

Till next time! Ü

Whose Agenda Is It Anyway?

My thoughts:

The Bible study that we had in our fellowship was about Judges 4 and 5, about the story of Deborah and Barak. After each story, our Bible study leader would then give us the applications of the story in our lives today. One of the application struck me among others and has been bothering me for some time now - missing out in God's agenda.

There are two interpretations for me here. The first one tackles really missing out in God's agenda. The other tribes who did not join the fight against Sisera did not glorify God because they did not help their brothers in need. In return, they did not experience the miracle of God in battle. I'm sure only the ones who joined the battle had a life-changing experience. It is the same thing with us today. We miss out on knowing Him deeper when we do not put ourselves closer to Him. When we choose to do other things before God, we might not get another chance to do so. So grab the chance whenever you have to serve Him wholeheartedly and I'm sure it will impact your lives as well. (Get a ministry)

The next one focuses on the question: Whose agenda is it anyway? While I was pondering upon the application, this question popped out of nowhere. Anyway, I started to think about it seriously and the outcome startled me. We say that we should participate in God's agenda, but most of the time, I really think that we let God participate in OUR agenda or even not at all. It seems to me that I have lived most of my time enjoying myself and doing the things that I like especially during haapy days, but when problems come, that's the only time that we call on our "genie" - God. Sometimes we do participate in God's agenda, but we still push our agenda with selfish motives - something unseen.

Combining the two interpretations, I had formed a strong conclusion: Many times we give excuses and reasons that are selfish in nature, so we miss out/couldn't particpate in God's agenda. Other times we do particpate in God's agenda, but we still could not fully experience God and see God's greater vision because we serve Him halfhearted and with self-centered intentions.

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My prayer:

Lord Jesus, I know that I am guilty of being selfish. There are many times that I've missed out in showing others your glory because I try to outshine you. There are times that I could have spent with you but I did not make time for it or am just too lazy to do so. Please pardon my sins today. Please help me learn this lesson as leaders also fall into this trap. I pray that I will humble myself before you and give you back all the glory. I pray that I could make the most of every opportunity given to me by serving You without any selfish reasons so that my offering will pleasing to You and may reflect You so that when people engage with me or join me, they might glorify Your name! This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen