REJOICE

I am waiting on the Lord for quite a number of things. I realize that my life is marked with waitings, and it is in this moment that I am molded.

Last night while I was walking with my friend to the MRT after work, I was reminded to "rejoice" as I journey through the valley. I was reminded of my caregroupmate who lost her job and yet was still joyful as she shared it in one of our meetings. It took her three months to find a new one but the period of waiting did not pull her down. In fact, she remained steadfast enough to even encourage other people who were going through a similar situation.

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
This is definitely an area for which I need His great grace.

I also read from CS Lewis' book "Mere Christianity", that oftentimes it is not reason that goes against our faith, but our emotion and imagination. For at one point, our faith was encouraged by what we believed in, though in the process something which appeared more real, our emotion and imagination (or perhaps even the fact of what happens in the world), creates more weight than what would truly matter in the end.

As if these Words weren't enough, I received a similar message this morning as I read NCC's daily devotions.


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Rejoice, O Barren!

Galatians 4:27 27… “Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor…

Barrenness. What a painful and frustrating condition. Yet, in Isaiah 54, God’s Word to those who are experiencing barrenness is to rejoice — “Sing O barren”!

Why? Because in the previous chapter, it tells us that the chastisement for our peace fell upon Jesus. (Isaiah 53:5) The word “peace” here in Hebrew means completeness, soundness, health and prosperity. In other words, all these benefits are yours today because Jesus has already been punished at the cross for your peace. That is why you can start rejoicing.

So God wants you right now, in whatever area you are barren, to start rejoicing as if the fruit or yield you want to see has already come. He wants you to start thinking, speaking and acting as if the barrenness is no more.

If you are financially barren, start planning for what you would do when your finances increase. I am not saying that you go out and spend recklessly, but start making plans for wealth and increase. The time to do this is when you are still in what your natural eyes see as a barren stage.

You may say, “Pastor Prince, you don’t understand, the banks are chasing me!”
God says, “Rejoice because you are prosperous in Christ.” In Christ, you are already blessed with every spiritual blessing, including prosperity. (Ephesians 1:3) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

If you are sick, start planning to do what you have not been able to do. Don’t rejoice only when the healing manifests and the pain is no more. Rejoice now in your healing because Jesus has already borne your diseases and carried your pains, and by His stripes you have already been healed. (Isaiah 53:4–5)

Whatever barren situation you are in, rejoice and tell God, “Father, because of the sacrifice of Your Son, I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. You have already given me everything. So I am going to act like it is so and rejoice!”

Source: New Creation Church Website


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What is it that you are waiting God for?

Perhaps, like me, there has been moments when you just seem to give up. It was like walking through a dark cave and the sight of the light at the end of the tunnel is nowhere to be found.

Well, the painful truth I have to face is that, there really is no light ahead. Searching, seeking, looking ahead just made me feel frustrated and in despair. For the Light is within me. The Light is within you. Knowing this in confidence, we then are able to look ahead and see shadows and glimpse of what is to come. The beauty there is. The promise that glistens with hope and joy. And yet, not living for the hope there is, but living for the Only Hope that lies within.

Jesus, my Hope, is within me.
I shall not look any farther. And just like what the Psalmist David said, he shall not want. For what we truly need, who we truly need therein resides in us.

“Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor…" Galatians 4:27

For it is only a matter of time that what is within will burst forth and conquer what now the eyes can see.


a.t.