“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” (NIV) Deut. 7:9

Consistency is important in every walks of life especially, Christianity. The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word consistency as “firmness of constitution or character”, which also means uniformity in behaviour. As Christians, we must be firm and maintain a consistent relationship with God.

The Almighty although he created us, always sets precedents for His children. In the Old Testament, He sets the example of how consistent He is with these words in Deut. 7:9 (NIV) “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” In Exodus 3:14 (NIV), He continues to assure Moses and the Israelites of the uniformity in his behaviour; His being never changes. “God said to Moses, “I am who I am”. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (NIV)

This verse also shows that the word consistency is a very important attribute of God, therefore, his followers can never act otherwise. Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ says Matthew 5:37. Compromising when life hits us with storms is not the way of a consistent believer. Instead, let's hold onto the faith we received when we first believed and our Saviour will redeem us according to His plan and purpose!

Power of Patience || More

"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (NASV) Colossians 3:12

The insatiable nature of man keeps demanding more of everything we need and want in this life. We are often not content with what we are privileged to have. The quest to get many things over a short time put so much pressure on us and causes us to make hasty decisions, become stressed, worried and anxious about life. Consequently, anger develops in us, and we usually unleash it on God or people we expect to provide certain necessities of life. Brothers and sisters, we can overcome this if we learn the power of patience.

Patience in this modern world is very hard to find. By definition, patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is always associated with hope. It means waiting and not getting upset while you are waiting. In other words, the ability to go through trials and troubles without complaining or looking for shortcuts is patience.

As Christians, we can easily become impatient when our prayers are not answered quickly, but the Bible encourages us to find strength in waiting on the Lord. The troubles, delays, and disappointments in life are ways we can learn and develop patience. Although the world may see patience as a humiliating attitude, as Christians, it defines our strength and trust in the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). Impatience, on the other hand, gets us in trouble and delays our blessings. Satan uses this tool to defeat the children of God. For example, Moses’ impatience denied him the chance to enter the promised land (Deut. 32:51–52). Peter’s impatience almost made him a murderer (John 18:10).

Let us choose patience during trials and tribulations for it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in us (Gal. 5:22). The work of patience will perfect us by polishing and removing the rough unrighteous edges in our lives (James 1:2-4). It will make us real candidates for God; Christians need patience and endurance to wait on the return of our Lord.

Beloved, the troubles and competitions in life are inevitable. Do not lose hope because things are not working for you now. Your blessings will come at God’s appointed time, so be patient. Keep working and waiting on the good LORD. Amen!

His Will requires our patience || More

"…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV) Isaiah 40:31

The Will of God comes at the right time. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “there is time for everything under the sun”. This means there is time for God to answer our prayers and grant our heart desires. We usually grow impatient and weary when God’s time exceeds our set time. However, understanding His Will for us will enable us to build the spirit of patience and trust that God is still at work in our favour.

Biblical characters such as Hannah, Ruth, Esau and King Saul teach us how to rely on God. The story of Hannah is about a woman who was ridiculed by her rival because God had closed her womb. Every year, she travelled with her family to Shiloh to pray to God. During one of those visits, she made a promise to dedicate her son to God if God blesses her with one (1 Samuel 1:1-19). When the time was right, God gave Hannah the child Samuel, who became a great prophet in Israel.

Ruth decided to leave her people to follow Naomi who had lost all her family in Moab. The future was blurred for Ruth but through obedience and perseverance, she pleased God and was added to the lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:13–17).

The stories of Esau and King Saul are evidence of how our fate will be if we fail to be patient and wait on the Lord. Esau impatiently sold his birthright (blessing) to his brother (Genesis 25:24-34). King Saul, out of fear and impatience, disobeyed and offered a premature burnt offering to God (1 Samuel 13:7-13). Because of this act, he lost the very thing he was trying hard to protect- his kingship (1 Samuel 13:14).

Waiting on the Lord requires us to be patient. We may face challenges that will put fear in us and affect our trust in the Lord. But we should stand firm and pray, for the Lord will make a way where there seems to be no way. Let's be patient and wait on the Lord.

Difficulties abound in life, but take heart! (Part 2) || More

Each of us may have gone through some painful losses, personal struggles, some unfair treatment, headaches and heartaches. The man Job, who lived a long time ago, was not immune to these either. In a matter of hours, he had lost virtually everything he possessed- from wealth to his health, then rejection, slander and the test on his relationships. Unfortunately for him, he had no idea of what was going on or the trigger of his calamity. His attitude and ultimate vindication give us the confidence to walk with him and to obtain some valuable wisdom to guide us too in our days’ difficulties.

In our previous devotional, these three principles were considered. We can develop a good relationship with God, even during turbulent times in life. We learn that God is still God. Our blessings must never be taken for granted. Now let us consider some other helpful lessons in the Book of Job.

4. In times of losses, some things can still stand. Why will Job shower blessings upon the Lord when it appeared all were already lost? Well, he may have suffered many things in life, but he had the most important of them all still standing: Job had God and had his faith in God unshaken. So rightly, Job voiced out, 'Blessed be the name of the Lord'. (Job 1:21b). We can also develop a daily and strong relationship with God, even in the threatening face of grave losses. Our trust in God and our sense of His nearness to us is a great asset. Let us effusively shower praises through the fruit of our lips (Heb. 13:16) unto the Lord for what He does and works in our lives. We can do this by enriching ourselves with the word of God in all wisdom. (Col. 3:16a)

5. We learn to persevere and remain faithful. I have often thought that it's a great job to go through Job-like experiences- and none of us would want to have anything to that effect. A friend who had to go through years of loneliness due to marital challenges now confesses to having the best prayer life, even after things have stabilized. The other who had a broken relationship has now developed such genuine love for both God and others. Has it occurred to you when you became much content, fulfilled and strengthened through a barrage of troubling moments? I remember when I had to go through temporal persecution after my conversion from Islam. It has made me stronger and given me a better scope than how I saw things initially. Glory to God! James mentions that 'As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance...' (James 5:11). Thus, faithfulness to the end will yield a reward that will be lasting. (Rev. 2:10)

6. With God all things are possible. The hymn writer truly states:

Secure, is life from mortal mind,

God holds the germ within His hand,

Tho' men may search, they cannot find,

for God alone does understand.

When we think the end is here with us, God begins from there. Our inherent limitations do not permit us to see the total picture. What is important is who has the final say. For Job, his own wife, his close friends, the society and even the evil one had their say. Job himself had his own speculations. But one thing was clear about what Job knew ultimately. He said, 'For I know that my redeemer lives' (Job 19:25a). And at the end of it all Job still declares what he still knew; 'For I know that you can do all things, and that no plan of Yours [God] can be thwarted' (Job 42:2). In like manner, let us also trust God and see His promises for us through the eyes of faith.

Difficulties abound in life, but take heart! (Part 1) || More