“…we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Looking back to all the difficulties and troubles we went through the year 2020, humanly speaking, none of us will say it’s a good year as we go through a terrible pandemic. Since the March, 2020 we were under worldwide lockdown which our generation has never experienced. It is new to all of us and we were all confused to certain extend. In the beginning of 2020, I believed that all of us will pray to our heavenly Father to take us through 2020 safe and sound and help us as we live for Him for His glory. But how many of us are so sure that we will go through and see New Year 2021 especially in the midst of this terrible pandemic?
Due to the terrible experience in 2020, many cry and wish it to be gone soon. Many curse this year and called it “A BAD YEAR.” Yes, we can say that it is bad to some extend as the world is in chaos as it spirals down and many of us are scattered – many lost job, many were relocated, while some lost their love ones and many much more. Let me be honest, I too accepted that it is a very tough year where we experience many unwanted situations. But I also wanted to express that it is also one of the year that we experience the act of God the most in our generation.
In the midst of Covid-19 pandemic, we see and realize again “WHO GOD IS?” Amidst the pandemic, God is revealing His greatness, His power, His mercy, His love etc. When things do not go according to our expectation and our desire we hurriedly called it BAD. But here is a question I want you to ponder about. “Do you ever think about the One who is in control when things do not go your way?” “Do you ever sit down and take time, with a prayerful heart, to think about what our sovereign God intended in all situations?” We should understand that in every situation of our lives that we face each day, God is trying to reveal Himself to us.
Why not God soften the heart of pharaoh if He can harden his heart that the Israelites may go in peace? It is just to reveal Himself, who He is. To show men that He is above all kings and powers and we can see God revealing Himself through things He did to household of pharaoh and the Egyptians and through what He did for His people the Israelites. Why not God just conquer the people and the land of Midianites with those tens and thousands of soldiers around Gideon? Yes, again it was to reveal who He is – His greatness, His power etc. that God conquered the Midianites through Gideon and 300 men with just trumpets (shofar) and clay jars with a torch hidden inside as weapon. When man see things as messed up and impossible and incapable of doing by himself, that’s where man can see God’s greatness the most. Praise Jesus our God who loves us, just as we are.
Romans 8:28 says, “…we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Praise the Lord..! Let us also remember that God can turn our situations around – bad to good, worst to best, curse to blessings. God is the one who turn the water of Marah into sweet water, bitterness to sweetness (Exod. 15:22-25). It is God who created dry land in the midst the restless water of the Red Sea, which in the eyes of man is impossible (Exod. 14). Who on earth would believe that the slave who was sold by his brothers, was taken far away from his love ones, was thrown into prison will become the ruler (prime minister) of Egypt? (Gen. 37; 39). But God did, God raise up and elevated Joseph from dungeon to a throne in Egypt (Gen. 41). If we are going to continue to write down all the works of God, we could never finish it and words would never be enough to describe His love deeds for us. As the song writer says, “ The love of God is greater far, than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell…Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade. To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.”
Dear friends, let us give thanks to all what He had done for us, for His great love towards us, we sinners. Let us embrace this New Year 2021 with joy and hope in Christ Jesus, trusting in Him alone. I know, it is sometimes hard to trust Him when we turn our eyes to the storms of life and the clouds of sorrow that hovers over us. But let us, in the light of His word, remind ourselves and remember that He says, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matt. 14:27). Let us open our hearts and let His rule and reign (His Kingdom) come in our lives. With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm.
May God bless you all and continue to guide you and bless you through this New Year, 2021!
NOTE: Thugelh tomkim honpetu Pastor James Chin Jemvel, Director, Grace For All Ministry (GFAM). GFAM tungtawn a sep-le-bawl omte, link kipia ah bangzahhiam theihtheih di –
https://blog.ebccdelhi.org/christian-parenting-seminar-a-manpha-ngei-e/
Banah, Pastor Jemvel in EBCC Delhi ah Tuailai Day hunpi tel in, Thutak ankuang luina na neita hi. DEW/ Gamchiam adi thugelh le na pe zeuhzeuh. Lungdam hang. Hun paisa-a thugelh hon piak nihte sim theihna link:
https://blog.ebccdelhi.org/kipahna-dan-theilou-khang/
https://blog.ebccdelhi.org/toupa-na-it-taktak-na-hia/
