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Devotional for the Week – 22 June 2009 Sermon Title: We Can Rejoice! We are not spared from what are happening around us, examples of these: trying economic situations, increasing loss of jobs, natural disasters, terrorism, and viruses. In time like this, how can we rejoice? What is there to rejoice? Take heart. For it is written God’s grace is the answer to men’s sins. Holy Communion is a celebration to remind us of our access into God’s grace. It is something not done by us but by God two thousand years ago. Nothing will change this situation of grace from God. Instead of condemnation for our sins, we received God’s favour and blessings. Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all...” What was men’s predicament then? Apostle Paul spoke of men’s rebellion as in Romans 3:23 – 24, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Now we have the righteousness from God that comes from faith. The good news is we are justified and made righteous with God by believing and trusting that Jesus is God’s answer. In this, we believe we can rejoice in our present situation, our future situation, and in our sufferings. We can rejoice in our present. In our present situation, how many of us are worrying that God is counting score against us for our wrong doings and that God is waiting to catch us doing wrong? Apostle Paul wrote to believers that instead of judgement they are made righteous through faith by believing in Christ. He said that God gives grace, and now God is for us and not against us. (Romans 8:31) For this reason, we are no more God’s enemy. We can rejoice. Not worrying about what un-confessed sins we have not confessed. We can start with a clean slate. We have gained access into His grace. In this sense, we can come in boldness and have access to His grace. That is why, Apostle Paul greeted all believers with words like grace, peace and “Shalom”. We can rejoice in our present setting. We can rejoice in our future. We can rejoice in our future. We can hope in the glory of God. How many of us come with heaviness in our heart. Saying in our hearts that we have messed it up and could not be reconciled. We have messed it up that our families, friends and others rejected us, and believe that it is something that is irreversible, doomed and there is no way out. However, Apostle Paul encouragement to the believers were that there is hope for the future. God intends to fulfil His plans and purposes for all through me and through you. As we approach God in Holy Communion, we recommit ourselves before God, seeking Him and obeying Him. We can come knowing how undeserving we are. Through which God’s gracious work of transformation begins. It is not possible for us to resolve our past but only God can do it. We can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We can rejoice in our suffering. We also rejoice in our suffering. As we go along in life, it is possible for us to feel distress, pressured and face some form of trials. These are the reality of sufferings experienced by Christians. We must not think that we suffer because of disobedience, punishment for something wrong we did wrong. Sometimes we hear others telling us we have unresolved sin in our lives that result in this suffering. How can we rejoice in this? We need to acknowledge that God permits sufferings as a process for growing into maturity. Apostle Paul is saying that suffering is part and parcel of a Christian life. We can rejoice because through perseverance characters are built. In suffering, we experience the presence of Christ. Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle, that God’s grace is sufficient for him. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Even if we go through the worst kind of suffering, we can experience the presence and peace of God in us. We can rejoice in suffering. Thirdly, we can rejoice because we know the depth of the Father’s love for us. His Holy Spirit would touch us during our struggles and pain. Prayer Response Lord, we come boldly and confidently before You, knowing that You are in control of all situations. Give us the grace and the strength to rejoice no matter what situations we may face. We know that You are preparing us and building us up into maturity for a deeper relationship with You. Father God, we commit ourselves to You. We dedicate ourselves to be vessels and channels of blessings for building up the lives of those You send to us. For this Lord, we will portray the likeness of You. Amen Devotional based on a message by Rev Lim Jen Huat
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