by Admin | May 19, 2018 | Zeke Gao, • Timely Word •
“If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” – 1 Peter 4:16
Around the world, many Christians are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. This is especially the case for those living under severe religious restrictions experienced by nearly three-quarters of the world’s population. Just last Sunday, suicide-bomb attacks were launched on three churches in Indonesia’s second-largest city of Surabaya, killing at least 13 people and wounding another 40.
Living in Singapore, it is often easy to forget what religious persecution really looks like, or take for granted the harsh realities faced by our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. However, studies by Open Doors USA revealed that the persecution of Christians are higher today as compared to any other point in history. Each month, approximately 66 churches are attacked, 225 Christians are killed, 104 are abducted, and 160 Christians detained and imprisoned without trial. The persecution of Christians will likely remain a permanent feature of humanity until Christ comes again.
Even at home, you may face persecution as a result of your declaration of faith. At school, at work, or even among your friends, your faith may be challenged. Those who like you may begin to have second thoughts about you, or see you in a negative light because you believe in Jesus. How then, should we respond to Christian persecution? I suggest three ways to prepare and respond to persecution:
Expect it: Jesus and Paul warned that if we truly desire to live a godly life and follow Christ, then persecution is to be expected (John 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:12). This is because we do not belong to the world but to Christ, and it is that very separation from the world that arouses its animosity. This trial of faith develops an endurance and maturity to strengthen the character of believers (James 1:2-4) to make an impact for the Lord. It is hence no wonder that the spread of the gospel often flourishes in the face of persecution (Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:1). Hence, when persecution comes our way, we should not be surprised. Instead, ask the Lord for the courage to face it, and seek His purposes and wisdom for your specific circumstances. This way, acting on what the Lord impresses upon you will enable His truth and love to be communicated to others even in the most dire of situations.
Lend support: Persecution also provides a direct opportunity for us to show appreciation, support and brotherly love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ both at home and abroad in a way which we may not have otherwise known. We should view the hardship that our brothers and sisters face with a lens of great resolve to comfort them, and lift them before His throne in prayer. We can also take the initiative to partner with various missions organisations to take action where it matters most, or lend other means of support (i.e. financial or material resources).
Pray and press on: Finally, we can thank the Lord for those we love, and stand with them in their times of distress. Thank Him for His grace and patience with each of us, and ask for the courage to press on even in the face of persecution. We can also pray for those who would accuse or abuse us (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27).
As you read this, would you take a moment to pray for our brothers and sisters in Surabaya? Let us never grow cold or indifferent towards the persecution of Christians that is intensifying around the world.
By Zeke Gao, Deacon (YCKC Bulletin 19&20 May 2018)
by Admin | Mar 11, 2017 | Zeke Gao, • Timely Word •
“…It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s…” – 1 Samuel 17:47
While reading God’s Word in the midst of my quiet time, I was led to read the familiar story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Through the passage, I gleaned insights of how God uses trials as opportunities for us to be ‘Davids’ in Goliath-situations.
NO ONE SEEKS OUT A CRISIS
We read that David was not looking for a fight when he set out from Jesse’s house. A concerned Jesse had sent David to seek out his three brothers at the battlefront to ascertain if they ‘were well’ (v18).
However, when David arrived at the battle lines, he stumbled into a deep crisis – the threat of a Philistine champion (v23), a terrified Israelite army, and a dismayed King Saul (v24). If that was not enough, his intentions to find out more were misjudged by his own brothers: “Why have you come down here? … I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” – v28.
The truth of the matter is that none of us goes out seeking a crisis in our own lives.
However, David’s account reveals how trials have their place in our lives, and why our attitude and response matter in these difficult times.
WHAT TRIALS PROVIDE
A) Trials provide the faith-opportunity for us to demonstrate our beliefs and convictions:
Wars in biblical history were sometimes decided through ‘representative combat’ by champions of each side of the battle, as we see in this story. People believed that the outcome of the fight was determined by the warriors’ gods rather than the military might of each faction.
Against this backdrop, we are compelled to observe Saul’s beliefs in comparison to David’s convictions. Saul lost all confidence in God’s support when he saw the stature of Goliath, whose terror demoralized the Israelite army (v.11). This was despite the fact that God had empowered him to deliver Israel before (1 Samuel 11).
In contrast, David was fully confident in God: “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”(v.32). His decision to respond to Goliath’s challenge was birthed from a righteous anger in seeing God’s beloved people insulted (v.26b), as well as a complete trust in God’s ability to deliver him from the giant (v.37).
The bible was careful to record that David’s confidence arose from having experienced and remembered God’s hand of protection over him as a humble shepherd boy, when he fought beasts such as a bear and lion. Coming face-to-face with a giant, David saw past Goliath’s might and military experience, and trusted in God’s ability to protect him against the Philistine champion (v.45).
B) Our response through trial can remind us and others of the need to depend on God:
As a result of his firm conviction in God, David prevailed over Goliath in a surprising twist to the story (v.50). Instead of backing away in fear, David chose to seize this faith-opportunity with courage, emerged a victor, and inspired the Israelite army to pursue the enemy (v.47). Israel was hence able to overcome their enemies eventually (v.52). David’s faith and example through this difficult time translated into a wider blessing that impacted the Israelites and God’s kingdom.
Without such reminders of our dependency on God, it would be easy for us to attribute victory or success to our effort or ability. On the contrary, journeying with God, trial after trial, steads us to rely on Him for all of our lives. In these trials, our example can inspire others, and point others to live a life of faith.
C) Trials are threads woven into the larger fabric of God’s special purpose for our lives:
Without a Goliath-problem, no one would have needed David, a ruddy shepherd boy (v.42). In fact, Saul had not even known David until this encounter (v.55-56). However, the crisis of Goliath, when met with David’s right response and victory, opened the door of opportunity for David to enter Saul’s service (1 Samuel 18:2). This eventually set the stage for David to reign as King over Israel.
With the benefit of hindsight, we now know that this event had been part of God’s larger purpose for David, even as David had already been anointed as King prior to this encounter with Goliath, or introduction to Saul (1 Samuel 16:12-13).
David’s story reveals that crises may sometimes yield a silver lining that may not have emerged in peaceful times. God can use any and every circumstance for the good of His people. Our crises, likewise, are threads woven into the larger fabric of God’s special and specific purposes for you and I – whom He dearly loves.
By Zeke Gao, Deacon (YCKC Bulletin 11&12 March 2017)
by Admin | Mar 12, 2016 | Zeke Gao, • Timely Word •
The last couple of weeks have been hectic. As the days drew longer and fatigue set in, I unconsciously found myself relying more and more on my own strength to get through all the varied tasks that needed to be completed each day. In the midst of busyness; it was easy to lose the joy that comes from complete reliance on Jesus.
In the midst of this, I was led to ponder upon Psalms 20:7: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.“
This Psalm was written by David at a time when Israel was at war with the Syrians – an enemy with much better resources and technology (i.e. horses and chariots) than Israel could ever dream of owning since the Exodus. It was in the midst of facing impossible odds against this powerful foe that David spoke of the foolishness of trusting in chariots and horses and the wisdom of trusting in the name of our Lord for battle. How wise he was to claim the blessing, power and victory of God before fighting a battle! Picture David waiting for the battle, girding himself for the conflict, and writing this Psalm as a part of that preparation. I imagine his faith brought the needed courage to his fighting men as well.
While Psalm 20:7 has been a familiar verse to me, I wondered why I did not seem to remember the heart and faith behind why it was written, nor did I claim the verse like David did in the midst of a tough season. This, in spite of the fact that I could already recite the words in my mind. What made David different?
David was not unfamiliar with facing constant threats from adversaries. Known for his bravery, David had singlehandedly defended sheep from bears or lions; took on the mighty Philistine warrior Goliath; and attacked and rescued cities from the Philistines.
However, it was not in such courage that David placed his trust. He had developed a firm foundation in knowing the power and deliverance of God because he guarded his personal time with the Lord steadfastly (Psalm 27:4), and developed a deep relationship with God such that He knew the heart of God intimately (1 Samuel 13:14).
Faced with the Syrians, David hence did not fear because his time spent with the Lord had developed in him a constant familiarity and quiet confidence in God’s power and deliverance beyond what his eye could see. It gave him an uncomplicated, child-like faith that trusted in the Father’s heart.
And so I was reminded that when I am busy and fatigued, it is too easy to NOT keep up that spiritual discipline of spending time with Jesus daily. Unfortunately, what I do not do can become habitual as well, and it does affect how I interact and behave in other spheres of life – more coming from my own human effort and less from the result of seeking and waiting on the Lord.
So as the Spirit chided, I was reminded to return to the Lord once again by putting my faith in the Eternal Hope that’s beyond what I could ever see or imagine.
May we always be reminded as well to exercise such simple, “child-like” faith; because faith in a Perfect Father was never meant to be complicated.
By Zeke Gao, Deacon (YCKC Bulletin 12&13 March 2016)
by Admin | Jun 13, 2015 | Zeke Gao, • Timely Word •
“When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
(Esther 4:16)
Growing up, I could never imagine a situation where my faith would see its day of testing, yet as I turn to God’s Word, I am often reminded that there lies not a single character in scripture who did not experience a personal trial of faith.
Scripture records not just Esther who underwent a baptism of fire, but others as well who exemplified the same unyielding spirit including Daniel and his friends, Job, Elijah and many others. As I pondered, two key lessons stood out to me in their lives, especially Esther:
1) Never underestimate the circumstances that God has placed you in:
It was no ‘accident’ that Esther was born beautiful and no ‘accident’ that the former queen was dismissed, that Esther found herself made queen to one of the greatest powers of the World and partner to Xerxes, a most influential and ruthless king. I wondered if Esther ever felt powerful in her position.
On the contrary, she may have felt vulnerable, fearful and without choice. Yet, we clearly see how God orchestrated the events surrounding Esther, positioning her for impact (Esther 4:14b) just as He did with Joseph.
2) The strong foundation for standing firm when your faith is tested, is built upon a close relationship with God:
Blessed by God, the Jews had established themselves as a successful racial minority in the Persian Empire, making others jealous of their success and separatism that eventually bred a plot to eliminate them. Just when all seemed smooth, Esther’s crucial moment came – and she chose to risk her life in order to save God’s people. As queen, she alone could have been spared but she chose the path of possible sacrifice. Though the bible records little about how Esther arrived at this decision, her few words (4:14b) spoke enormously about her character.
I believe that Esther’s conviction was not birthed overnight, but developed over a lifetime of walking closely with and loving God. Simply put, Esther could value the lives of God’s people above her own because she had cultivated a heart after God’s own love for them. In her season of trial, Esther’s relationship with God enabled her not only to make a decision of sacrifice, but the courage to act out her decision by petitioning to the King.
Remember that as followers of Jesus, our faith too will see its day of testing (2 Tim 3:12). Before that day comes, we would be wise to take a moment to reflect on our own journey with Jesus.
How is your walk with Him?
Know that God is very interested in your life – what you do and where you are at – for He is the one who has positioned you for impact. Trust that no matter what the outcome is, God is fully in control and He delights in those who respond from a position of complete trust and surrender. Such a response can only happen when we have spent time with Jesus.
By Zeke Gao, Deacon (YCKC Bulletin 13&14 June 2015)
