Devotional for the Week — 9 November 2009

Devotional for the week – 9 November 2009

Sermon Title: A Blessing, A Bridge And A Catalyst
Scripture Text: Genesis 12:1-3

Introduction

The needs of the world are so great and so overwhelming that the passion for missions must come from our relationship with God. Psalms 25:14 tells us that the LORD confides in those who fear Him and that He makes His covenant known to them. This verse describes friendship with God. When do we confide in someone? We do so when we can trust and are close to that person. Additionally, we do so when we have an issue weighing on our hearts.

He Confides In Those He Can Trust

In church, we are always singing hymns about what a friend we have in Jesus. In this case, it is the reverse. The verse refers to God confiding in those He can trust. God is troubled. We see examples of this in the bible. When God was troubled about Sodom and Gomorrah, He confided in Abraham. Just like it was in times of old, God is looking for people whom He can confide in, people who will hear His thoughts and dreams for people and the nations.

Amos 3:7 tells us that God does nothing without revealing His plans to His prophets first. Isaiah 46:10-11 tells us that God makes known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. This can be contrasted to what we are able to see. Unlike God, our vision is limited. As God can see the end from the beginning, He makes His plans accordingly. Are you available and willing to be a friend of God and be someone whom God can trust with His plans and purposes?

If God has a dream, what would it be? Habakkuk 2:14 tells us that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Have you ever wondered how Asia would look like if it was filled with the knowledge of the glory of God? What is the foundation of the earth? The answer is the nations. The building blocks of nations are states and provinces. The building blocks of states and provinces are towns, cities and communities. The building blocks of towns, cities and communities are families and finally, the building blocks of families are individuals. The transformation of a nation starts with the transformation of individuals.

What It Means To Be A Blessing, Bridge And Catalyst

Abraham is an old testament example of how the transformation of one man (Abraham) shapes a nation (Israel). God’s touch is still evident today. One of the leaders in YWAM Brazil followed God’s instructions to go to the Amazon jungle to look for a tribe that no one believed existed as the existence of the tribe was not even recorded in the Government’s records. With God’s help, however, she found the tribe. A couple was then sent to minister to them. After 10 years’ ministry work, the tribe came to accept the Lord God as their personal savior.

Another example can be found in Australia. A retired old lady heeded God’s instructions to go to Cambodia to start a factory in a village. This lady had, up till then, never been to Cambodia, much less the village she was to help. Following God’s instructions, she opened a dry fruit factory that provided jobs for the people in that village. She also gave an open invitation to the village to join her in morning prayers. Land mine victims attended. They told her that in Cambodia, land mine victims were sidelined and no one would give them jobs. They turned up for morning prayers because they wanted to find out about this Jesus who gave them jobs! The Australian soon started a church. She was by then, 72 years old!

Going into missions is our response to God’s invitation as He formed the nations, and is constantly at work amongst the nations. God has put His image on all people on earth. God has even put beauty into the lives of the poor. This beauty is hidden in dirt, smell and poverty but God wants us to seek these out and see Him in them.

In Singapore, we have received many blessings from God but we are not called to be a container. Water in a container becomes stagnant. We should be like a funnel and share the good news that we have received. In Singapore, we are all immigrants. We would not know Christ if it had not been for the English missionaries. Now it is our turn and duty to share the good news with others.

Conclusion

God has given us a purpose and that is, to be a blessing, bridge and catalyst within our communities. A blessing adds value. A bridge connects and a catalyst speeds and initiates. We should do all we can to advance missions. This includes embracing those whom we dislike. We must pray and rightly represent God’s character to all we encounter. We must lay down our rights to be served and, instead, serve others.

Are we willing to be a friend of God? Are we willing to spend time with Him, listening to matters that concern His heart and to be willing to obey when He calls, whereever and whenever? We must remember that God will enable us, regardless of age or lack of expertise, when He calls us to a task.

Prayer Response

Dear God, thank You for today’s message on what it means to be a friend of God. Just as much as Jesus is our friend, I pray that You enable me to spend time studying Your Word, listening to what is important to You and obeying Your call to serve. Where I am lacking in skill and talent, I pray that You will provide. Please take away every fear and reservation that I may have and enable me to trust You implicitly and wholeheartedly. Amen.

A devotional based on a sermon by Mr Joseph Chean.

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