The Answer That Came Late

02 Dec The Answer That Came Late

Posted at 10:57h in English Service, Featured by Preacher Huijun 0 Comments

Pastor Vincent - 17 September 2015

Suffering In The Presence Of A Divine Relationship

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"If we didn't choose Grace, we shouldn't choose our sufferings either. Yet believe that if we share in His sufferings, we will also share in His glory." - Pastor Vincent No one in suffering like the situation they are in, often we ask, "God do I deserve all these?" Why is there pain and suffering? Because of the presence of sin and evil, and the purpose of Satan is to inflict a sense of abandonment in God's children, and make us misunderstand the love of God. Like Job, our misery in suffering can be so overwhelming that we intensely protest against God, only to affirm the forsaken feeling even more and become an easier prey for Satan. And yet, what Satan meant for evil God use it for the good of His children, so that they will come to know He is the Giver of grace, righteousness, love and hope. Spiritual battle is indeed fighting against the voices of untruth and abandonment through the promise of God.

From Series: "All English Service"

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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.