The Answer That Came Late

The Answer That Came Late

Preacher Huijun - 10 September 2015

Jesus' Calling And Our Response

All English Service

["Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed Him.] Do you feel happy when God calls you? We're often very happy when we're called by VIPs and influential people in the world, but when God calls us, do we feel awesome and happy about it? Sadly, a lot of times, we don't, and perhaps, we look down on His calling too. Unless we know the nature of God's calling, we will not be able to respond correctly to it, and as a result, we lose a great deal of blessings He's prepared for us. Jesus called Peter at where he was - when he was a sinner, when he was fishing day in day out yet gaining no yield. His concern was on the tangible things which he deemed important. But as God called him, Peter was utterly broken because he saw how sinful he had been and how unworthy he was of the grace lavished on him freely. Being reclaimed by Jesus' love, he left everything and followed Jesus upon His call, because he had found God as all, what he had gotten was more than the good catch of fish. Jesus' calling of "follow me" was so captivating to him even though he had no idea how this calling would be fulfilled. Peter displayed a healthy fear in response to God's calling - a fear of knowing there's no other way but to follow God, hanging onto Him as if He's the only lifeline. Is such also our response to God's calling today? God wants us to be broken and humbled before Him, and thus need Him even more when we meet His holiness as He calls us, but how often do we complicate God's calling and our response to His call with our added emotions, pride and inadequacies, forgetting He is the One who seeks us proactively first, the One who surpasses all?

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The Answer That Came Late


Waiting is usually agonizing for most people. And often when we are made to wait, we tend to feel that God has singled us out for this unwanted process and we always ask, “Why me, Lord? How long, O Lord?” Yet, waiting is a frequent lesson observed in the Bible. In fact, “wait” could be the most precious answer God has given us. For during the wait, we are forced to confront this question: “What is our chief treasure and joy?” Is what we are waiting for more than God Himself”? If our chief joy lies in the final outcome at the end of the wait, then we will surely be miserable during the wait; but if our highest delight is in the Lord, who is present with us even right now, our hearts will find strength as we wait.  


 Verses to read:
<Gen 21:1-7>


1. The Lord did just as He had promised.

  • Faithful.
  • Did the impossible.
  • God will make us laugh, eventually.

2. But it takes time…

1) Understand what God does in the waiting process.

  • Repeatedly affirms His promise.
  • Waits till all human factors failed.

***We are most concerned about the outcome, but what God values more is the process of moulding the recipient.

  • Wants us to desire God more than a son [or any other desire].

***Something actually happens when nothing seems to be happening.

  • Before the most important answer comes, there needs to be better preparation.

***“Wait” could be the most precious answer God gives us. The wait can make us cherish God more than cherishing a particular outcome. 

2) Our response during the wait.

  • Continue to wait for God, even if nothing or the opposite of what we hope for happens.
  • Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” <Jn 5:17>
  • Our faith in His goodness today can help us trust His faithfulness tomorrow.
  • Let our waiting be a testimony.
  • Give thanks that God is a “waiting” God.
  • Confirm little graces >>> restore greater faith.
  • Seek out what God wants us to submit.
  • <Ps 118:24> This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. [ESV]
  • Do not take shortcuts.

***What is our chief treasure and joy?

***Is what we are waiting for more than God Himself?


3. Our response after receiving the long-awaited answer is important.

  • Obedience.
  • Persistent trust in God.

Reflections:

  • Share your experience in your waiting process. How do you sustain your faith and hope?
  • How have you confirmed God’s work even when things appear contrary to God’s truth/promises?

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Preacher Hui Jun
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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.

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