If Life Can Start All Over Again

2 Kings 20:1-18

Hezekiah’s Request for the Shadow to Go Back Ten Steps

After King Solomon’s rule, the Israelites were divided into Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom. Northern Kingdom was defeated by Assyria and her people were brought into exile in 722BC. Around 701BC, the Assyrian army besieged Jerusalem of the Southern Kingdom--Judah.

Judah faced an enemy who was too strong for them to resist. But the Prophet Isaiah prophesied to the king of Judah—Hezekiah, that God would help Judah go against her enemy (2 Kings 19:5-36).

Hezekiah was a good king, a few among the kings of southern kingdom who revered God. Indeed, it came to past that 185,000 Assyrian soldiers were destroyed by God outside the city of Jerusalem in one morning. 

It was about the time when Judah was invaded by the Assyrian army that King Hezekiah was lying on his sickbed and he was, indeed, seriously ill and dying. Isaiah entered the palace and prophesized to the king, “Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”

How did Hezekiah respond upon hearing such a horrible news?

Calling Out to God Amid Crises

Jerusalem was attacked by the enemy, and the king was sick and almost at his point of death. Hezekiah’s country and his own personal life came to a dead end. Hezekiah was a man of fervent prayer. Immediately he turned his face to the wall and prayed to God, “Remember, O LORD, I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes!” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

God was moved by the earnest prayer and the shed tears of the king.

The word of the LORD came to Isaiah again, “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now, you will go up to the temple of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”

Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs.” They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered.

God turned around the crisis, and delivered Hezekiah out of his desperation and even provided for him to meet his other needs. God is compassionate, and he listens to the cries of His people. God is moved by the petition of His people who is faithful to Him.

If we ever encounter crisis in life, and think of giving up; or if we ever lose something precious which is irreplaceable; or if we ever feel so sorrowful, lonely and meaningless in life, we must turn our face to the wall and pray to God, just like what Hezekiah did.

God will intervene into our lives. He will answer our prayer. God’s provision for us is far beyond what we could imagine and ask. Our God is not purely conceptual, cold and heart-harden. He is a God with acts of salvation.

Let’s draw near to Him and cry out to Him in all life circumstances. We shall see our situations changed tremendously.

Life Can Start All Over Again

Hezekiah wanted to have assurance of God’s promises, so he asked the prophet for a sign. That was not something audacious because in a few occasions, there were signs given after Isaiah had given his prophecies. The sign Hezekiah asked for was for the shadow to go backward ten steps instead of going forward ten steps.

Going forward ten steps signifies that time really flies and that lives are wasted unconsciously. Hezekiah chose to have the shadow going back ten steps and it signified that the clock was rewound, and he could start his life all over again!

God granted the request of the king, and He caused the shadow that moved forward to go backward ten steps miraculously. God added Hezekiah 15 years to his life. The 15 years was like the shadow that went backward, signifying that Hezekiah had a chance to start his life all over again.

I think all of us would be so excited if we can turn back time, and start all over again! What would you like to do if life can start all over again?

We all would agree that life is fragile and vulnerable. We can die instantly because of sicknesses or accidents. Nevertheless, we have survived many risks with God’s protection but we just don’t realize it. In this line of reasoning, we, like Hezekiah, have experienced our life span lengthened by God. Anyway, many of us have more than 15 years to re-live our lives all over again.

So, like Hezekiah, we also have the privilege to start our lives all over again!

Times gone by will never return to us but Hezekiah experienced a reversal of time. It is akin to God reviving the dead and creating new lives. We have hope in Christ, that our lives be transformed, and we become a new creation with a different lifestyle.

To start our lives all over again, we ought to do the acts of letting go and receiving again, at different junctures of live. Today, what are the areas that you ought to let go, and receive again? May God speak to your heart.

For examples:

Put down the many wrongs that we had done, things that displeased God, sloppy or perfunctory attitude in work and in ministries, hostile attitude towards others, etc., and we ought to make them right before God.

We ought to get hold of today and not allow it to slip away; seize the opportunity and catch hold of the things that were once lost; accomplish the responsibilities given to us, and the unfulfilled desires and passions in us.

In doing all the above-mentioned, we will be able to experience a new life all over again!

Above all else, we ought to be grateful to God as we live on daily because life itself is a gift from God. We are to rejoice each day for having the breath of life which is a miracle from God. If we realize this truth, we will be able to love people, forgive others and be gracious them.

Since we appreciate life very much, and make good use of our times, it will be insignificant to talk about how long our life can last.  Some people lived a long life, but they made many mistakes in their old age and thus, left behind a bad name. It would be better if they die at the peak of their lives. As such, the length of our lives is not the key issue.

Today, to start a fruitful and fulfilling life again, let us live everyday honoring God and fulfilling the mission and plan of God for us; let us maintain a pro-active and responsible attitude in life; let us get hold of the opportunity given to us and do our best; let us take heart to appreciate people around us and be gracious to them.

In this way, we shall have no regret when our lives come to an end, no matter short or long!

Trust in God but Not Leaning on Your Own Understanding and Might

The messengers of Babylon appeared immediately after Jerusalem and King Hezekiah were both delivered from the King of Assyria. At that time, Babylon was still a very small nation, her messengers came to visit Hezekiah with the intention of allying with Judah in order to resist the Assyrian invasion.

King Hezekiah started to act recklessly after the crisis. He felt that everything went smoothly, and all things were under his control. He displayed all the treasures and weaponries in his national treasury to boast about his wealth and power when the Babylonian envoys came to visit him.

Isaiah entered the palace and rebuked the King for what he had done. He prophesied that all the treasures owned by Hezekiah and the entire royalties would be brought into captivity to Babylon. In an ironic manner, the act of showing off done by Hezekiah turned out to be his disgrace.

The weakness of Hezekiah was a common weakness of men. Most of us are willing to humble ourselves and seek God when we are in a humble state. But once we are promoted, or when things start running smoothly, we forget about God and claim the credits and glory to ourselves!

When men are under good situations, they feel that they can settle things well without God. They abuse the grace of God and it will surely cause them defeat!

The king of Babylon had made great effort to strengthen his military might as a super power which displaced Assyria. God had granted Hezekiah 15 years to live all over again, but he was wasting his life away.  He should have grasped this opportunity to testify to those visiting envoys about the grace of God, and the power of God so that the Babylonians would fear God and succumb under His majesty.

We are a community that has received mercy and salvation from God. All that we have achieved today come by nothing, but the grace of God. Let us reflect:

Are you becoming arrogant towards God and men because of what you have achieved now? Are you testifying about your own ability, strength, and wealth, or are you testifying about the honor and power of God so that others can come to know Him? Are you using all gifts that you have received from God as means to worship and serve Him and to lend your support to those brothers and sisters who are in need?

这么近，那么远！

列王纪下一1-17

耶和华神对亚哈谢王的审判

亚哈谢是亚哈和耶洗别的儿子。他接替亚哈为王。他的本性和父母一样，背弃耶和华信仰去亲近巴力。这段经文记述他背道和抵抗上帝的悲惨结局。

亚哈谢不小心从楼上的栏杆里掉下来，就病了。他于是派人去求问以革伦的神—巴力西卜： 『我这病能好不能好 ？』

王的使者正在路上，耶和华上帝差派以利亚去拦截王的使者。先知向王的使者发预言，控诉亚哈谢：『你们去问以革伦神—巴力西卜，岂因以色列中没有神吗？所以耶和华如此说：‘你必不下你所上的床，必定要死！’』

使者回来见王，王问他们说：『你们为什么回来呢？』

使者回答说：『有一个人迎着我们来，对我们说：‘你们回去见差你们来的王，对他说：耶和华如此说：你差人去问以革伦神巴力西卜，岂因以色列中没有神吗？所以，你必不下所上的床，必定要死！’』

王问他们说：『迎着你们来告诉你们这话的，是怎样的人？』

使者回答说：『他身穿毛衣，腰束皮带。』

王说：『这必是提斯比人以利亚。』

在此看见，亚哈谢王是认识耶和华神和他的先知。他的问题是不信靠耶和华神，反而信靠外邦人的偶像。

于是王差遣五十夫长，带领五十个兵士去抓拿先知。他们到了以利亚那里，必须爬到山上，才能见到以利亚，因他坐在山顶上。五十夫长对他说：『神人哪，王吩咐你下来！』

以利亚回答说：『我若是神人，愿火从天上降下来，烧灭你和你那五十人！』

于是有火从天上降下来，烧灭五十夫长和他的五十个人。上帝印证了以利亚的先知权能。

王不服气。他第二次差遣一个五十夫长，带领五十人去见以利亚。五十夫长对以利亚说：『神人哪，王吩咐你快快下来！』

以利亚回答说：『我若是神人，愿火从天上降下来，烧灭你和你那五十人！』

于是神的火从天上降下老，少灭五十夫长和他那五十人。

王还是顽梗，第三次差遣一个五十夫长，带领五十人人去见以利亚。

这个五十夫长在以利亚面前表现得很谦卑。他双膝跪在以利亚面前，哀求他说：『神人哪，愿我的性命和你这五十个仆人的性命在你眼前看为宝贵。已经有火从天上降下来，烧灭前两次来的五十夫长和他们各自带的五十人。现在愿我的性命在你眼前看为宝贵！』

耶和华的使者对以利亚说：『你同着他下去，不要怕他。』

以利亚就起来，同着他下去见王。以利亚当面对王说：『耶和华如此说：‘你差人去求问以革伦的神—巴力西卜，岂因以色列中没有神可以求问吗？所以你必不下所上的床，必定要死！』

亚哈谢果然死了，正如耶和华借着以利亚所说的话。

上帝的权能远远超越抵挡的势力

经文重复出现空间概念：『下来，上去』。

王从楼上的窗口，掉下来，似乎在预示他的『王位、权力和性命』也即将掉下来！王被仆人抬上病床，但是先知说，王将无法从病床下来。王失去了『上去和下来』的主动能力，表示他失去自我主宰的能力。

与此相反，先知却是主动的上去，拦截兵士。这上去，对照王的掉下来，表示上帝的权能开始出击与王的权威发生碰撞！

五十夫长两次威迫先知『下来』，但是先知『不下来』，反而差火『下来』烧死他们。

从亚哈谢王消极的『上去和下来』，对照先知积极的『上去和不下来』，后者压倒前者，表露上帝那里来的能力，远远压倒抵挡的势力。

今天上帝正在地上成就他的旨意，他的国降临。世上的王—魔鬼正在对神的子民做出威逼利诱的攻击。我们当坚持站在上帝那边，依靠神去抵抗邪恶的势力。

起来吧，弟兄姐妹！不要做个信仰上无所事事的基督徒。我们来努力传福音，以及实践上帝的公义和爱。这样受罪恶捆绑的人将得释放，败坏的人心和社会风气将得到改变，而迫害信徒和钳制人自由的权势将被瓦解！

不要捨近求远

经文使用一连串的反讽，表明亚哈谢不单是无能，还是愚昧的人。同样是以空间概念作为属灵隐喻：王在以色列，不求问以色列的神，却差人去非利士以革伦，求问异邦的神—巴力西卜。王错在舍近求远，他是不会得到帮助的！

后果是，王的确得到预言，却不是来自巴力，而是来自耶和华。巴力无言，耶和华反而说话。纵然如此，王却没听进去，反而要去抓拿发预言的先知。

亚哈谢王认出那神人是以利亚，兵士却认不出。这是叙事修辞策略，透过王拥有这种认知能力，却派人去抓拿先知，表示本身是何等的愚昧。他确认出以利亚，却不谦卑悔改，求助于正确的人！

王从窗口掉下来，他的『王位、灵性、性命』也随之掉下来！他错在抵挡上帝、离弃上帝、不依靠上帝而是依靠自己的力量，以及依靠魔鬼的力量来代替上帝。

今天你是否在某方面掉下来了？你正在寻求谁的帮助呢？你是依靠谁的力量去站起来呢？

不要舍近求远！很多时候，帮助就在我们身边，而我们却错过了。譬如说：我们忽视本身的教会，没有从中积极地获取属灵资源，却以为神的力量是在其他的信仰里；我们忽略聚会和服事的重要，却流连世俗的玩乐；我们忽略了身边亲人的爱护……

应当自我降卑，求助于上帝

亚哈谢王三次派兵士去抓拿先知，使故事情节推向高潮，也随后来到转折。

第一次，先知坐在山顶，兵士远远地高声呼喊：『神人啊，王这样吩咐，快快下来。』（9节）他们的态度和王一样的愚昧和傲慢，抵抗上帝。

先知的回应是，王这么吩咐，我不下来，并且说：『如果我是神人，我现在吩咐，火从天下来，烧死你们。』（10节）火真的下来，烧死兵士，表示叛逆的王权被上帝权能击败。

第二次，另外一批兵士更加无礼，远远地说：『神人啊，王这样吩咐，你赶快下来！』（11节）先知反应更强烈，不单是火，乃是上帝的火从天下来，烧死你们（12节）。兵士第二次被烧死，表示王权彻底被上帝的权能击败。

第三批兵士来到，领队的五十夫长带着谦卑和敬畏的心，不敢吩咐先知下来，自己来到先知面前，双膝跪拜，恳求先知的怜悯和帮助。他们自称是先知的仆人，仿佛和先知站在同一个阵线（13-14）。

这个事件来到这地步，得到逆转。这次兵士成功了，性命有保，因为先知自愿和主动下来。这举动表明上帝的恩典临到，而不是之前的审判的火第下来。接着，先知面见王，当面重述同样的预言，王却一言不发。这是叙事修辞，表示王被上帝的话彻底压抑。

最后王死了，见证上帝的话终必成就，凸显背弃上帝的惨痛结局。

很多时候，我们在某些情况里掉下来，遭遇失败，怎么好？我们不要学亚哈谢那样，态度愚昧和傲慢，不去求告上帝，反而去依靠自己的能力以及依靠上帝以外的能力，以为这样可以解决问题。其实这是舍近求远，抵挡上帝，不蒙上帝喜悦的行为。

世上一切的权能，在上帝面前都是不堪一击的。我们应该仿效第三位五十夫长，来到上帝面前，态度要谦卑，承认自己的软弱和错误，求上帝怜悯和帮助。上帝的救恩必定临到我们，叫我们掉下来后，也能够重新得力，可以站起来。

让我们审察自己的态度：面对圣经教训的督责，与会友一同配搭服事时，我们是否带着恭敬聆听和谦卑的心？

保罗劝勉我们：『凡事不可结党，不可贪图虚浮的荣耀；只要存心谦卑，各人看别人比自己强。各人不要单顾自己的事，也要顾别人的事。』（腓立比书二3-4）

上帝的火降下来时候，是带来复兴的能力，也可能是带来审判，就在乎我们对上帝对人的态度，是谦卑顺服神或者是傲慢忤逆神和神的仆人。

如果人生可以重来

列王纪下20:1-19

希西家王求得日头倒退十度

以色列在所罗门王之后，分裂成北国以色列，以及南国犹大。在西元前722，中东的霸主亚述，灭了北国。在西元前701，亚述王西拿基立率军攻打南国犹大。犹大面对强敌压境而无力抵御。当时犹大的王是希西家。他是少数对耶和华神敬虔的好王。

以赛亚先知发预言，宣告上帝会帮助犹大抵抗敌人（王下十九5—36）。耶路撒冷必不会落入亚述军队的手中。真的如先知所预言，在一个早上，十八万五千亚述士兵，在耶路撒冷城外被上帝的使者歼灭。

大概在亚述军队侵略犹大期间，希西家王卧病在床，而且病情严重，差不多要死。先知以赛亚进宫，向王发预言说：『赶快准备身後事吧，因为你必死！』

希西家相信上帝拯救耶路撒冷能力，而以赛亚的话分明是可靠的。王如何反应呢？

在危难中呼求上帝

希西家面对敌军的攻击，自己又病入膏肓，正所谓祸不单行。这时候，国家和个人性命都来到绝境。希西家是个惯常祷告的人。他立刻转脸朝墙，向上帝祷告。他在祷告里重申自己一向来对上帝忠诚，求上帝转变心意，医治他。

上帝被王的恳切的祷告和眼泪所感动，答应医治王的疾病，让他存活下去，还重申必然保护耶路撒冷免于亚述军队的侵略。

圣经向我们展现一位富有情感的上帝，他听子民的祷告，也看见他们的眼泪。上帝被子民的哀求感动，而子民也对上帝忠诚。上帝就出手转化危机，将人从绝境当中拯救出来，还供应人其他的需要。

今天我们若是来到艰难苦境，想要放弃，看不见指望；或是失去无可取代的珍宝；或是觉得生命没有喜乐，孤独和无意义。我们也来转脸朝壁，向上帝祷告，好像希西家那样。

上帝会突然闯进我们的人生，应允我们的祷告。上帝供应我们是远超过我们的所想所求的。上帝不是概念性、冰冷、和铁石心肠的上帝。上帝是在行动中启示自己的上帝。在人生的各种状况中，我们不要放弃亲近和呼求上帝，并且要相信，我们是可以经历到一位又真又活的上帝！

今天我们以诚实的信心与恳切的祷告，向这位独一的真神呼求，就能改变情势。

人生可以重来

希西家想确定先知宣告神的应许，就向先知要求一个兆头。这样要求不算胆大妄为，因为以赛亚多次在发预言后会，有伴随而来的兆头。希西家选择的兆头是：日头在日规仪上后退十度，而不是前进十度（10节）。

『前进十度』象征日子突然加快，暗喻人生不自觉地消耗光阴。这种情况当然是容易，而且意谓着人生更快到尽头！希西家王选择『倒退十度』，乃是象征时光倒流，人生可以重来！上帝应允王的要求，就使前进的日影，反常地倒退十度。

上帝给希西家增寿十五年，而这十五年，就如日头倒退所象征的，给希西家生命重新来过。你是否想过：『如果我能够再来一次，就好啦！』

每个人都赞同，人的性命非常脆弱，朝不夕保，随时可能因为病痛或者公路意外突然逝世。然而，透过上帝的保守，我们得以跨过而不遭害，可能连自己也没发觉到。如果我们抱着这种心态，自然有理由将自己想象成增寿後的希西家，况且还不止拥有十五年可以重来的人生。

虽然我们一生人都活在时光一去不返，这是我们对时间唯一的认识。希西家的兆头指向上帝能够逆转时间，正如上帝叫死人复活和新的创造所显示的能力，叫我们在任何时候都有盼望，可以当下被转化，经历一个截然不同的生活方式。

我们靠着上帝的恩典，生命是可以重来。在我们经历失落和复兴，要懂得放手和重新得著。今天你应当要在哪方面放手？你要重新得着什么呢？

我们当把许多做错的事—“做了不讨上帝喜悦的事、工作和事奉神的态度懒散或敷衍了事、对人不友善”，赶快放下或纠正它们。

我们当然要好好把握今天，不要让它白白的溜走。我们要把握将失去了的东西，重新抓住；把未完成的责任和心愿，赶快完成它。

更重要的是，我们当觉醒，原来每天活着就要感恩，因为生命本身就是上帝的恩典，是每天经历的神迹，值得我们大大欢喜。我们若有如此感恩的人生，就很自然的愿意无条件地去爱和宽恕身边的人。

今天就是『人生重来』的日子，让我们赶快行动，回应上帝的恩典！

另一角度来看，如果我们能够好好的利用时间，不虚度光阴，那么生命的长短不是那么重要。我们若是好好利用上帝给我们的生命气息，专心完成上帝给予我们的使命和生命的计划，纵然生命到了尽头，也会死而无憾！

相反来看，许多人活得长久，反而在老年时从高峰坠落，做错许多事，遗臭万年。这么看来，寿命的长短反而不是关键所在。我们必须时刻抱着一个态度，把责任做好、把握机会和珍惜身边的人，才是最重要。

很讽刺的，当耶路撒冷和希西家王蒙拯救后，巴比伦的使者立刻出现。巴比伦是将来消灭犹大的新霸主。当时巴比伦仍然属于小国，派遣使节去探问希西家，也是有意和他结盟抵抗强敌亚述。巴比伦王在往後的日子，非常懂得善用光阴，并且发奋图强，成功发展成一级强国，然后将亚述和犹大都灭掉！

原来生命是否可以重来，生命到底应当有多长，都是庸人自扰的问题。量度生命的尺度只有一个：今天你是否在上帝的恩典里，活得精彩？你是否在完成上帝在你生命中的计划?

无论逆境或顺境都信靠上帝

希西家王在危机过后，开始表现得肆无忌惮。他觉得万事顺利，都在自己的掌握之下了。当巴比伦的使节来探问王时，王就把国库里所有的金银财宝和国家的军力，尽都炫耀在使节的面前。

以赛亚进宫斥责王的行为，还预言希西家王朝所拥有的一切珍宝，将来会全数被掳去巴比伦。很讽刺的，王今天的『炫耀』其实是将来的『羞辱』。

希西家的软弱也是一般人的软弱。每当人面临苦难时，多数愿意谦卑祈求上帝。当危机过去了，事情顺利，成功了的时候，人就忘记上帝，把荣耀和冠冕为自己戴上而沾沾自喜！

原因是，人在顺境的时候，就觉得纵然没有上帝，事情依然可以做得妥当。这种态度乃是滥用了上帝的恩典，必召来失败！

如果和巴比伦王比较，希西家仿佛荒废光阴，虽然上帝赐给他十五年的光景可以重来。希西家应该趁这机会，向前来探病的使节，见证上帝的恩典，宣扬上帝的权能，使到巴比伦人慑服于上帝威严下。

希西家所做的只是睁着眼，看着犹大国民和他一样，在消耗着一些借回来的日子。巴比伦终于在西元前587灭了犹大。将犹大的精英掳去巴比伦。

今天我们是蒙上帝怜悯和救赎的群体。我们拥有今天的成就，全部都是出自上帝的恩典，因此希西家的软弱成为我们的借镜。

今天你拥有的成就，是否使你对上帝，对人，开始散发傲慢和霸气呢？你是见证自己的能力、强处、财富、或是见证上帝的尊荣与权能，好叫人认识上帝？你是否在使用上帝给予你的诸般恩典来敬拜和服事上帝，以及帮助有需要的弟兄姐妹？

Take A Leap Of Faith - Trinity Methodist Church Sg Buluh

Genesis 22:1-14

Abraham Sacrifices Isaac as Burnt Offering

Genesis chapter 22 records the event that God tested Abraham by giving him a command, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you” (Gen. 22:2).

This echoes the first-time God called Abraham, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.” (12:1)

In the first call, God requested that Abraham gave up his old identity and culture so that he would embrace a new identity—father of many nations and the promise of possessing land.

Fast forward twenty-five years to our present story, God wanted Abraham to give up that very promise. How could Abraham be the father of many nations if he sacrificed Isaac?

Scripture does not indicate whether Abraham had an internal struggle. It only documented his actions. We will try to see his internal condition through his actions.

Abraham “rose early in the morning” (22:3).

This shows that Abraham was determined to act promptly.

Abraham cut the wood for sacrifice, gathered two servants and his son, saddled his donkey and set out on the journey.

The narrator details each action here, slowing down the narrative pace. The “slowing down” heightens the tension of the scene and alludes to the internal struggle of Abraham.

Father and son travelled for three days.

“Three days” is ample time for Abraham to consider all the consequences of what he has been asked to do. What kind of conversations did Abraham have with his son? Along the way, did Abraham waver and think of turning back? This was a desperate journey!

On third day, Abraham saw Mount Moriah from afar. He told his servants, “I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” (v.5)

Apparently, Abraham’s resolve does not weaken!

And then Abraham placed the wood of the burnt offering upon Isaac and held the fire and the knife in his own hands.

“Behold, the fire and the wood,” said Isaac to his father. “But where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

Abraham could not tell Isaac what he was told by God but he showed great faith. He said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son” (v. 8).

The word “provide” means “see” in the Hebrew original. On the dark road toward sacrificing his own son in response to God’s call, Abraham used the eyes of faith to “see” that God will “see” him. He is a man of great faith!

When they finally came to Mount Moriah, Abraham built an altar, set the wood in place, tied up Isaac, and placed him on the wood of the altar. He was willing to forgo every aspect of the promised blessing for the sake of his obedience to God.

So, he raised his arm, then plunged the knife into his son…

At that instant, an angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!

Abraham said, “Here am I.”

“Do not harm your own son! Now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. He took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of Isaac.

Abraham named that place “Jehovah-Jireh”—the LORD will provide, as a memorial to the God who “sees” humanity so that humanity may see Him, experience Him, and truly know Him.

Pay Any Price to Cling on God

The story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac tells us that the greatest test in life does not come from difficulties in life, adversities, loss, and pain. The greatest test comes from paying a great price in order to carry out the instruction of God although all that we can see is a gloomy and grim future.

Or put it in another way: God often leads us into risky, incomprehensible or impossible situations. Do we then submit to God’s leading or run away?

Abraham’s sacrificing of Isaac is akin to sacrificing himself and his own future because Isaac was his only legacy. He is ever ready to “let go, and let God” in doing God’s will. But this story does not suggest that we can test God by putting our own or someone else’s life at risk to prove a point.

Actually, if we truly believe that God is love, just, and dependable, we will resolutely obey his command.

Abraham told his servants, “I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” (v. 5)

Abraham believed that Isaac might not necessarily be killed. Or, perhaps, God might raise Isaac from the dead. He believed that God had a way to honor His promises, which was that Abraham would have many descendants through Isaac.

“We will come again to you” reveals his extraordinary faith – a faith that believes to the end, a faith that is unafraid of death, and a faith that even transcends death.

The instructions that God gave to Abraham may seem unreasonable and appear to contradict His promises. How could Abraham become the father of many nations through Isaac if he died? Abraham must now decide between God’s promises and God Himself.

The LORD is both hidden and majestic. Abraham did not try to solve the mystery. Instead, he strove to accomplish God’s command, because allegiance to God is the highest manifestation of faith.

Abraham was loyal to God and decided that offering everything up to God was more important than insisting upon God’s promises. He revered God and was therefore not fearful of losing his most beloved Isaac.

Today, God is also calling us to obey His command. He wants us to worship and serve Him reverentially and sacrificially. Are we willing even if what He wants us to give up includes money, ambitions, the things we love, and our direction in life? Are you willing to pay the cost of faith?

Let’s cling on to God, revere Him, and not afraid to lose our beloved “Isaacs.”

The NT authors emphasize the point that Jesus is the descendant of Abraham. Indeed, the Abrahamic promise in Genesis 12:1-3, which states that “all nations are blessed through Abraham’s descendants” is fulfilled through Jesus Christ’s salvation accomplished on the cross.

Romans 8:32 alludes to this story of sacrificing Isaac, “God who did not spare His Own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?”

God unreservedly sacrificed His Only Son Jesus on the cross for us. And Jesus is perfectly obedient to the Father, to die on the cross, to bear the penalty for our sins so that we can be delivered from sin and death.

When we place our faith in Christ, and persevere through in Christ, we will be saved and receive bountiful blessing from God. In response to such a sacrificial love of God to us, we ought to cling on God, and offer ourselves up to be used by God even at a great price!

A grace that is taken for granted or that is not treated seriously is a cheap grace! The salvation of Christ is not a cheap grace. The precious life of the Son of God deserves our allegiance and service at any cost.

Let Go and Let God, Then Experience Jehovah-Jireh

When Abraham take a leap of faith, he experienced the marvelous grace of God – he “saw” the substitutionary burnt offering ram. God will provide! 

“Jehovah-Jireh” shifts the focus from Abraham’s obedience to God’s action.

The emphasis is, first of all, God provides for those who obey Him with what is needed to fulfill those demands. He also will bless them with so much more than what they have lost.

And through God’s providence and blessings, He reveals Himself so that human beings may meet Him; know how true and gracious He is.

2 Chronicle 3:1, records that the Temple was built on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. For God’s people, the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac was the prototype of Temple offerings.

“Abraham offers Isaac” reminds the people that they should come to offer sacrifices to God, to serve Him, and to worship Him.

The lives of those who come to worship and serve God are characterized by continual obedience to God as they overcome unreasonable encounters in life. They believe that God will certainly “see” them through the adversaries and finally reveal Himself to them.

Faith and obedience are inseparable. Today, let’s trust God and obey his will in our lives as he directs us, and also be committed in worshipping, serving and giving to the Lord.

What is your struggle now?

It could be: entering full time seminary study or full-time ministry; choosing a field of study; taking up or stepping down from a ministry; marrying a life-long partner; changing new job; migrating overseas; receiving baptism or not; giving to the church (tithes or pledge) and etc.

God is truly loving, faithful and gracious. Let’s take a leap of faith by submitting to his leading. Doing God’s may require us to pay a great price or venture into, or remain in a risky, uncertain or incomprehensible situation.

But don’t run away from him; “let go and let God” of our “beloved Isaac”, i.e.: parting with loved ones, sacrificing our time, energy and money, or even our preferred plan for the future. In this way, we will be set free from the chains and burdens in our lives, and experience Jehovah-Jireh! You will see God’s work and bountiful blessing pouring onto your lives.

Making the Bitter Times Sweet

Exodus 15:22-27

The Waters of Marah and Elim

We often face difficulties and crisis in life. These difficulties or crisis can be caused by external environment changes; failures or adversities found in our works; health problem or accident; or maybe just some unhappy moments in life, for example, losing an opportunity to serve, falling out of love with someone, breaking off friendship with someone, or getting poor result in our study, etc.

During the above miserable times, it is very difficult to get rid of the disturbed state of mind, and we tend to react irrationally and faithlessly.

Exodus records events of God performed many miracles, e.g. causing the waters of the Red Sea to be parted and thus enabled the Israelites to cross over the Red Sea on dry ground. After crossing over, the waters went back to its place, and the Egyptian armies who were behind them were hurled into the Sea.

The people of Israel feared the Lord and His servant Moses after witnessing the mighty works of God (Exodus 14:31). They celebrated with shouts of joy at the shore of Red Sea, dancing with tambourines and singing songs of victory and praising the Lord.

However, this was just a start! After a while, they went from the Red Sea to the Wilderness of Shur. What problems did they encounter in the wilderness?

Lives in the Wilderness

The Israelites had experienced great victory in crossing the Red Sea. Then they expected “heaven” to be right before them but they ended up entering the wilderness. The wilderness was a place of barrenness, without water and food. It was a place of difficulties and without hope. It was a place inferior to Egypt, a flourishing land even though they were enslaved there!

The Israelites were puzzled, and wondered why the Lord had led them to such a place. Moreover, they had walked for three days. They became weak and thirsty physically and they could not stand it anymore, and they were about to fall…….

It was then they suddenly saw the water before them! They were overjoyed, and they rushed to the water and drank the water so as to quench their thirst. Again, the people felt that they were deceived. They were frustrated, for what they tasted the water which was bitter! They spilled out the bitter water. They could drink it! Again, they plunged into despair.

The people could not stand it so they grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”; “Why did the LORD lead us into such a depressed state where we suffered and would die here?”

This can be likened to the experience of some Christians. After we have been saved, we start hoping for heaven before us in our hearts. Yet we come to a place of bitter water. We also doubt God and murmur against Him. We enter our wilderness like how the Israelites had entered their wilderness!

We start to have doubts and queries and we seek to find a way out for ourselves. But we encounter false hope. It is man’s natural response to grumble against God and make complaints about men, and we might even blame the church leaders or the pastor for not being helpful, resourceful and caring enough.

Persevere Through Marah, Trust and Obey the LORD

Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. This place was called Marah where they encountered bitter water. There the LORD issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. (v25)

Thank God! Though our faith is weak, and while we are still grumbling against God, He bring forth His healing for us, and turn our bitter water into sweet water. It does prove that God cares for our weaknesses and imperfections.

Many times, believers will grumble and even flare up in great anger whenever they come to realize the weakness, deficiency, failure and imperfection of their church and their pastor. However, is it not also the right of the church and the pastor to grumble against the weaknesses and imperfections of their members when they happen to spot them?

We should not grumble against one another, but instead, we should make allowance for each other’s weaknesses and imperfections.

God wanted to test the people at Marah. This was the first test the Israelites went through after their departure from Egypt. God tested them with the purpose that they might learn to trust and obey. That means grow in faith, learn to submit to God’s leading and to obey God’s ordinances and decrees.

He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” (v 26)

“listen carefully…..do what is….in his eyes….pay attention to….keep all his”. It was clearly indicated here: First, we must listen to the Word of God, and second, we must carry out His instructions.

Today, there are many people who refuse to listen to the Word of God, but they are quick to make criticism and complaint, and voice out their dissatisfaction. If we were to humble ourselves first and to listen and try to understand and sympathize with each other, then the voices of criticism and complaint can be minimized very much.

The Marah experience is a test for believers, and the Lord tries to teach us and equip us through this practical life experience, so that we learn to submit to His will and obey His commands. God can turn the bitter water into sweet water, so we should turn our complaints to submission too.

Are we obeying God’s commands in our walk with Him? If we do obey, trust, and submit to God, He will be able to protect us and to help us overcome all difficulties. God turned the bitter water into sweet water in Marah, shows that He could change the lives of those who trust in Him, from bitterness to sweetness.

The first lesson Jesus taught His disciples had to do with water too. At that incident, Jesus turned the water into wine, and the useless water became the best wine consumed in the wedding feast. It displayed His power of salvation and transformation.

Jesus died and shed his blood on the tree. This tree is in our lives as we abide in Christ and the blood of Christ has cleansed us from bitter water. He promised that those who trust in Him shall have rivers of living water flown within them (John 7:38).  The living water is the sweet water of the Holy Spirit outpouring, and it gives strength and joy to our lives!

So, we have Christ is enough. We are not afraid of encountering Marah! It is noteworthy that as we recount our past, we will discover that happy days were not the most memorable moments, but moments where we had tasted the bitter water in Marah! All these wounds and bitter waters were signs of God’s grace for us as we persevere and continue to trust and obey God at Marah.

Love the LORD Some More

The Scripture tells us that as the Israelites continued to travel from Marah, they reached Elim and there, they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They encamped near the water of Elim (v27).

Elim was an oasis with springs of water and trees, and it was a place full of resources. This place was about seven miles away from Marah, and the distance between the two places was close. The people of Israel reached Marah and they murmured there. It is sad they fixed their eyes there without seeing Elim, which was just a few miles before them.

Are you trapped in Marah, overwhelm by failure, lost, imperfection, dissatisfaction, self-centeredness, etc., that cause you not to see the Elim in front of you?

We do not know our future, but we must keep preserving a little more, trusting God one more day, and loving Him a bit more, for Elim is not far around the corner!

It is a real hardship to study, to work and to serve, and we might not see good result after our hard work. Nevertheless, let us continue to strive forward, and persevere as we suffer through the process.

Is it that the condition caused by the pandemic seems to be not getting better and the economy is showing no signs of improvement? Are people getting tired of seeking and praying to God? Are there areas in our lives where we are yet to become perfect?

Let us hold on to God and stick close to Him and follow Him as usual at our Marah. Let us rely on Christ who will empower us with His Spirit’s outpouring. The Holy Spirit will sanctify us from within, that we will find joy, peace and satisfaction in abiding with Christ.

And the oasis is indeed not far away from us now. The adverse environment—Marah will turn to Elim soon!