We are all probably familiar with the biblical account  of Joseph in the book of Genesis – how he was betrayed, sold by his own jealous brothers into slavery and separated from his beloved father and family. In the first part of Genesis 39, God was with Joseph even though he was a slave of Potiphar. As a result,   his master gave him substantial authority over his household. But things turned sour when Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph. In faithfulness to God, Joseph rejected her advances and she responded by accusing him of attempted rape, and Joseph was thrown into prison.

Yet the Lord was with Joseph even there, blessing him and ultimately putting him in charge of the other prisoners. Because the Lord was with Joseph, he interpreted Pharoah’s dream of a future time of abundance that would be followed by a time of great famine. Pharaoh rewarded Joseph with overseeing the lands of Egypt, and Joseph became the most influential man, second to Pharaoh. During these prosperous times, Joseph stored up the abundant harvest in preparation for tough times ahead. His wisdom and planning saved many lives during the famine, not only from Egypt but many other nations, including his family in Canaan.

The life of Joseph is one of the many examples of God’s sovereignty and how God works out His plan.

Trust in God’s Sovereignty & His timing

Things had gone from bad to worse for Joseph. He was a slave, and put in prison wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife. He was probably thinking, “God, where are you?” But Joseph remained faithful and trusted in God throughout, and was able to say to his brothers in the end:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)

God had not forgotten about Joseph, and it took many years through the ups and downs for God’s great plan for Joseph to be completed.

How should we respond? 

We may not always understand what is happening around us regarding the situations or trials in our lives. We may want solutions instantly, but like Joseph, we can rest confidently in the fact that our God is sovereign and is in control, and is using that control to further His plans.

Although we might not understand the things that are now happening, we can have the faith to trust that God will work all things for good! “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)

One of the most impactful truths from the account of Joseph is that God works in ways higher than we can see. Joseph understood this, enabling him to respond well to his difficulties.

Every one of us goes through the ups and downs on life’s highway. Many of us want to trust God. When times are good, it can feel easier. But when times are hard, it is even more important to trust God and His sovereignty when things feel unsteady and uncertain.

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord” (Psalm 31:24)

By brother Lim Sheng Chin

The year 2020 was probably an unprecedented and eventful year for many, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the Circuit Breakers imposed. Even as these events unfurled, the banking organisation that I was in also announced a massive global restructuring and costs cutting exercise impacting 35,000 jobs.

In the following months after the initial announcement of the restructuring, and as the new organisational structure took shape in the different levels, I started  to see the impact of this exercise creeping up as impacted colleagues and friends started leaving the organisation.

Very soon, it would come to impact the level that I was in. Having to reapply, interview and compete for fewer job roles, was a stressful and difficult time, and this was exacerbated with the feeling of isolation having to work from home. The practical realities of losing my job and worries about providing for the family also started to creep in, resulting in anxiety and sleepless nights. I was going around frantically looking for other job roles internally or externally, speaking to colleagues and recruiters, but opportunities were few as many financial institutions were also restructuring.

However, it was also at this point in time that I knew that I had to cling on to God who is in control, and I was reminded of this timeless hymn by Edward Mote, who understood the importance of placing our trust in Christ and a secure foundation:

“My hope is built on nothing less,

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.“

One of the bible passages that ministered to me is Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God”, where God was telling me to let go of trying to do things and to just come in quietness in His presence as He was bigger than me, and to surrender to Him. And in these times of reading God’s Word and being “still” in my quiet time with Him, I started to experience a sense of peace knowing that God is in control, and whatever the outcome was, God was in control of the entire situation. I also found continual support from my old school buddy and my SG who would keep me in constant prayer and text me bible verses of encouragement.

Even when I was preparing for the impending internal job interviews for the new roles, God was indeed in control and colleagues would willingly provide me with reference materials and guidance. In the end, by God’s grace, I was successful in securing a new role, and it even came with larger responsibilities. All glory to God!

Having gone through this small chapter in my life, and regardless of the outcome for my job, I have indeed experienced God’s grace and assurance that He is bigger than me and is in control, and I have to trust and surrender to Him, for Christ is our firm foundation.

Everyone of us goes through the ups and downs on life’s highway. Many of us want to trust God. When times are good, it can feel easier. But when times feel difficult, it is even more important to trust God – His unchanging character can give us a firm foundation when things feel unsteady and uncertain.

By brother Lim Sheng Chin

For the past few months, there has been a constant stream of news, chatter on social media platforms, WhatsApp messages on the Covid-19 pandemic, and the images and stories can leave one feeling overwhelmed. The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has been transforming the lives for many    of us in an unimaginable way, as many have to stay or work from home, on   an unprecedented scale, and having to avoid meeting up with friends, colleagues or family members.

The current pandemic has shaken some people to the very core and exposed the true nature and durability of their foundations that they have built their lives upon, such as careers, businesses, or financial investments and these are likely to be impacted with the possibility of the economy sliding into recession even when the lock down restrictions are lifted.

And when I was struggling to make sense of the current situation and feeling overwhelmed, I was reminded of this timeless hymn by Edward Mote, who understood the importance of placing our trust in Christ and a secure foundation. The first verse and the chorus of the hymn goes like this:

“My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Chorus

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.“

The text of this hymn is packed with grace and truth, revealing a deep reflection on the hymn writer’s salvation and the price Jesus paid on his behalf. The chorus refers to the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matt. 7:24-27) and was constructed around the metaphor of Christ as a rock that withstands any storm, and uses the analogy whether you are talking about the foundation of a physical building or the foundation which you have built your life around.

You may not be able to tell two houses apart from the outward appearance but it’s the foundation hidden below which will decide which house will withstand when put to the test. Building our house on God’s Word as the bedrock of the foundation takes time, commitment and energy, but will withstand any storm that comes, as opposed to a house built on sand which will crumble when exposed to extreme weather.

Storms are a normal part of life and will come and go and each one of us will face them at some point of our life. Even after the Covid-19 pandemic blows over, there will be other storms (be it a financial setback, work pressure, relationship or health issues and so on) that will come our way, but if we place our trust in Christ, our foundation will stand firm when built in Him.

During this “time out” during the Circuit Breaker, if we have been building our foundation on sand, let us take time and start pouring God’s Word unto the foundation underneath us and our family.

Let us build our lives on Christ the solid foundation by:

–  Surrendering and Trusting our lives in totality to Him

–  Obedience to God

–  Spending time to read the Bible and having our quiet time with God

Jesus is the rock that will not move or budge, and He is in control. His truth is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

By Lim Sheng Chin, deacon (YCKC Bulletin 17 May 2020)