Passing through the Eye of a Needle

By nature, man is very proud. We were not created to be this way. Our fallen state has fashioned us to be self-reliant, self-dependent and self-confident. Before Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden they were not toiling so as to be independent. They lived each day in dependence on what God provided for them (Gen. 1:29, 30). I would imagine that their main focus in life was on their time with God “in the cool of the day” and fellowship with each other; all the time exploring and marvelling the works of their Creator.

As sin increased, with the exception of a few men like Enoch, Noah, Abraham and some others—men who walked with God, man depended less on their Maker and more on himself and his ability. The tower of Babel is one such classic example (Gen. 11:4). Today, man has not only inherited this fallen nature but with crafty skill, built on it. His whole life is spent on making himself self-reliant, strong in himself and better with his capabilities. It is what we call ‘being independent’. From childhood we are ingrained with this teaching. It has become the very purpose of our existence. All our efforts are directed to storing “treasures upon the earth” even though we are fully conscious that we shall not have them forever.

Throughout scripture, we can see that God’s intent and direction has always pointed to making man trust Him. God has shown this over and over again; expressing this by way of practical teachings, commands and example. Today too the Lord tries to teach us this as He ordains all things in our lives—be it at our work place, with our money and several other aspects. The miracle of manna from heaven for the entire period the Israelites were in the desert is a typical example of this teaching. God, through this practical schooling sought to show that He was caring; He could be relied on and He never fails. Despite clear instructions to only gather what they needed, there were a few ‘unbelievers’ who could not take the chance. They needed to ensure that they were covered in case God failed.

The problem with man is that we just can’t risk throwing our all in complete—and I mean complete—trust in our Maker. Despite God proving His constant faithfulness; His deep care (remember how Jesus told us that our heavenly Father cares for us more than sparrows who do not sow or reap or gather into barns; or the lilies of the field that are here today and gone tomorrow?); His indescribable love (even while we were yet sinners)—I could go on with attribute after attribute that so explicitly demonstrates how much we mean to the Most High—we are still afraid to trust Him and rely on Him and cling to Him. We believe God to be capable but we think we are more dependable.

Throughout the centuries God has been working to wean His children—those who have believed in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ—away from themselves and closer to Him. His desire is that we who have been sealed with the promise of redemption can show forth to others that the God we serve is dependable and trustworthy. 

Though I made the Lord Jesus my Saviour and Lord in 1983, it wasn’t until 2010 that I found God slowly working within me to wean me away from depending on myself and leaning more on Him. Through these past years I can testify of how faithfully He guided my steps. He first taught me to be content with what I had instead of seeking to satisfy my wants with loans and equal monthly installments. It was here that I put to practice the truth I believed. I was convinced that God knows my every need and cares for me beyond what I can imagine, so if I really need something, My Father will help me get it. I am a witness to the great grace of God; for though I was earlier steeped in loans, I saw how patiently and wisely God directed my decisions. He delivered me from it all. 

God then taught me the importance of making His will, my will. The simultaneous working to make my behaviour such that the life of Christ can be seen in me has continued parallely, slowly and steadily. The journey has been hard and slow. Yet I can witness of God’s immense patience with me. He has never given up. I am reminded of a song that says, “He took six days to make the sun, moon and stars; but He’s still working on me.”

Looking back over these past seven years I can see how this weaning has made me less and less reliant on myself and my abilities; and more and more dependent on Him. It’s not the easiest place to be in. Those who have traversed this way and have submitted to God’s leading will testify that it’s not what we naturally want. Yet the more I surrendered, the more God revealed His glory; and the more meaningful and purposeful I have found my life. 

A few days ago, I was reminded of the conversation that Jesus had with a rich, young ruler (Mt. 19:16-29). What our Lord said to that man has challenged all Christians down the ages. It is one of the hardest things I found to obey. I think we can all witness to how we have read this command of our Lord and moved on. Very, very few (only the Lord knows how many) have had the courage to take it on. Yet as I was reminded of this passage in Scripture, I was shown a deep truth that Jesus was trying to convey to us all. Consider two phrases our Saviour used. “Sell all” and “Give it to the poor”. 

The first phrase spoke of giving up on our security, our strength and our ability. It causes us to “throw ourselves completely at the mercy” of God. I deliberately emphasise this phrase because though God is reliable, caring, kind, faithful and just; we find we have nothing of our own to rely on. All that we consider as our security to get us by in life—our salary, our savings, our capabilities to earn—is rendered insufficient. Such a situation pushes us to complete dependence on God. It also forces us to be patient and enduring. Through it, God teaches us what it means to wait in trust and hope (Psa. 27:13, 14).

The second phrase focuses on our attitude to what we have. Giving rather than keeping is another act of faith and dependence on God. In our giving, God ensures that we have no lack. Through these actions we testify that the One in whom we believe in is faithful and true. I think of what Paul wrote with regard to the purpose of our jobs. He said that we should do something useful with our own hands so that we might have something to share with those in need” (Eph. 4:28). But again, this too we find difficult. For after we have met our needs and covered all our bills, we still store the rest expecting to use it when a situation arises. It’s the same principle of unbelief that those who gathered extra manna displayed. 

Then there is the aspect of being patient and willing to wait for God’s time. We are always keen on obtaining things when we want them; at our time. God has shown throughout scripture His command to remain steadfast in faith and patience. This is another act of dependence on God—being convinced that the God who cares for us is perfect in whatever He does. He knows exactly what to do and when to do it. Look at Noah or Abraham or Joseph or Moses or even our Lord Jesus. In each of these men of God, there was trust, perseverance and patience.

I have not sold my possessions but I can see how God has directed my decisions so that I have come to a place where I am almost completely weaned away from my own capability. There is hardly anything in me that I can rely on. What I have is completely insufficient compared to what I need. I have seen this kind of leading not just in me but in my wife and my children too. As individuals and as a family we find ourselves guided by the same hand with the same purpose. In ourselves we see weakness. In God we find hope and strength. For has He not said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2Cor. 12:9)? Our spirit now concurs with the Apostle Paul’s next statement, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2Cor. 12:9).

We have much need to be strengthened in our inner man. For it is only through His power that we can be courageous and bold to trust Him in this manner. It requires God’s working to anchor us in His love. It requires His peace to still our hearts and know that He is God. Remember what Jesus told the disciples after the rich, young ruler walked away? They too were aghast at the figure of speech that the Lord used to show how difficult it was to enter heaven when we depend on ourselves. But He stressed that it was possible for He said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26).  I am convinced that when we display this kind of total surrender, God is faithful to strengthen and encourage us. If this is what pleases Him, let us be committed and trusting to let Him lead us down this path. We will never have regrets. Of this our Lord made it clear when Peter said, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us” (Mt. 19:27)? Our Lord’s response was clear and emphatic. There is no safer place to be in than trusting God. 

It is significant that the Saviour should continue on this subject after responding to Peter by saying, “Many who are first will be last; and the last first” (Mt. 19:30). For He goes on by narrating a parable to bring home that it’s our attitude that matters—one of devotion and love and keenness to be doing the will of the Father (Mt. 20:1-16). The Lord Jesus’ central theme in the entire discourse, both with the rich ruler and the disciples was just “one thing”—a heart that was completely devoted to God, holding back nothing. This was the one thing the young ruler, who kept every commandment from his youth, lacked (Lk. 18:22). This is what we lack.

I am conscious that what I have written is not something that we like reading. In fact I would understand if someone gave up midway while reading this. Nevertheless I have written what God has been teaching me and what I believe will profit the Church. May God reveal His truth to our hearts. May He give us a heart that is willing to submit to that truth and may He give strength to obey. Just as it is written, “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Php. 2:13).

Being Steadfast and Patient

The fundamental knowledge of God is essential for a strong and healthy relationship with the Most High. I say, ‘fundamental’ because there is “a knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:2, 3 NKJV). Of the latter, our lifetime and more would never be enough to comprehend that which is in the fullness of the Godhead. While describing the love of Christ, Paul tells us that while together with all the saints we might be able to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love, the Apostle still says that, “it passes knowledge” (Eph. 3:18, 19).

Yet there is a fundamental knowledge of God that serves as a vital foundation upon which our lives are built in total dependence on God. It may be hazy and dim, yet important nevertheless. Unless we are gripped by the care and concern and love that God has for us, for example, we will continue to be tossed here and there by storms of testing no matter how loud we sing and how often we pray. Such conviction, that God’s always-enduring, unfailing, inseparable and immeasurable love will never let us down, serves as a firm anchor. It roots us to a point that we can face any situation almost fearlessly. Yes, we would be tempted with anxiousness and worry but if we are truly convinced of God’s deep commitment to our lives, such temptations do not linger for long. They would come and go but we will not get submerged by it. 

Understanding that God’s eternal, perfect wisdom guides our steps into His best when we trust Him solidifies that foundation. Being fully assured that there is a favour (or what the Bible refers to as grace) that is so richly lavished upon us because of Christ Jesus; and that we are ‘chosen’ by God’s personal choosing strengthens that foundation further. I could go on to write about other glorious attributes such as God’s faithfulness and His power but that is not the intent of this writing.

The real reason for writing is to encourage us of the need to seek God’s face to continue in ‘steadfastness and patience’. On this, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Colossae saying, “We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be… strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience” (Col. 1:11). 

In life’s testing, after we have put on the full armour of God—armed with truth, righteousness, faith, the assurance of salvation, the Word and prayer—Paul says, “stand firm” (Eph. 6:14). Trying times have a way of disturbing us. We are not ostriches that hide our head in the sand, oblivious of our situation. We are fully aware of all that we have on hand. We are conscious that the problem(s) are often overwhelming and also of how extremely inadequate we are to deal with them. We cry out to God in our helplessness. We know He is our Helper and yet most often than not, the issues that besiege us still remain. God has not forgotten us, has He? He is and always will be unfailingly faithful. This is the anthem we proclaim, isn’t it? Yet why does God not answer? Like the Psalmist, do we also feel that God is silent (Psa. 28:1; 39:12; 83:1)?

It is in times like these that we need to remain steadfast. The word steadfast means to stand firm, unwavering and unfaltering. It also means to persevere and not give up. There is also need for patience. A submissive heart that waits for God knows that the One we believe in is in control. He is powerful and He is never late.

When James wrote, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance,” (Jas. 1:2, 3) it would appear that like a Mathematics Professor, he may have skipped a step. Paul covers that step by praying that we be strengthened by the power of God to have such endurance.

Scripture makes it clear to us that there are many afflictions that the righteous will face (Psa. 34:19). Our Lord Himself warned us that in the world we will have troubles (Jn. 16:33) but He also told us to take courage. It is this that we need to ask God to strengthen us to have—strength to be strong and very courageous (Josh. 1:9); steadfast and full of hope; patient and unwavering.

God is faithful to do His part. He needs no reminder. He never fails. As He has promised, He will deliver us from all our afflictions. As He has assured us, He has overcome the world. What He is looking for from us is a steadfast, patient trusting heart for such faith honours Him.

I am confident that no matter how fierce the storm or how severe the pressure of our circumstances, if we know whom we have believed in and cry to Him—whose eyes are on the righteous and whose ears are attentive to their cry—that we be strengthened in our inner being with power according to His glorious might to stand steadfast and patient; then we can be certain that He will give us the grace to stand firm and unshaking.

Days draw near when we could come under greater pressure than we are facing right now. We must use every opportunity ‘today’ to stand firm, steadfast, persevering and patient. Such opportunities will act as preparation for the more severe challenges ahead. May we first and foremost seek God for a greater knowledge of Him and then ask Him for power to remain firm. 

The Lord’s words still ring true: “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay but My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the persevering of the soul” (Heb. 13:36-39). May God find in us such a heart.

When the Simple is made Difficult

The Gospel is simple and uncomplicated. If we were to encapsulate the whole gospel into one brief sentence it could go like this: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). The same explanation of the gospel is beautifully captured in the frequently quoted, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).

The Gospel of God through Jesus Christ is often referred to as ‘Good News’. The good news of God to mankind is truly simple. If we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved. Period! No frills, no hidden agendas, no fine print and no “*T&C Apply” tags.

However this word, ‘believe’ is probably the most misunderstood word in the Bible. In an attempt to preach the gospel to the lost, it has been used so casually; to the point of watering down the entire gospel. The quality of faith in Christians today because of the frivolous use of the word, ‘believe’ is now seen everywhere.

What then is it to ‘believe’? The Amplified New Testament very aptly amplifies this word with three terms: trust; cling to; rely on. The more we meditate on each term, the more we would begin to realise what the gospel is all about. And herein lies the crux of how something simple can be made difficult.

Evangelicals have made the word believe to mean “accept” or “receive”. The logic is that salvation is a free gift of God and if we accept or receive this gift, we are saved. Now there is truth in this but it is not the whole truth and this is where the new believing heart has been left with the assuring words, “Congratulations brother! You are now saved.” Another true statement which is seldom fully understood is, “Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and you will be saved.” Very few leave with the clear understanding of what it means to accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour of one’s life. The terms “Lord” and “Saviour” are often seen as no more than titles. 

I do not demean the saving grace of God and the genuineness of the heart that has “accepted” Jesus Christ into their lives for there are thousands who will testify how that moment was a turning point in their life. Yet there are many more thousands who will tell you that they believe in Jesus without actually knowing what it truly means to “believe”.

The term “trust” is to hope with confidence and confident expectation. Hebrews 11:1 defines this for us by using terms such as, “assurance” and “being fully convinced”. The author then goes on to describe heroes of faith who trusted in God whom they could not see, yet believed with full assurance, confidence and hope that bubbled with life. Trust is being fully assured in God, convinced that He is true and faithful and ever present and in total control. Trust is not leaning on one’s own understanding but practically acknowledging Him who is never failing.

The term, “cling to” is to grasp in such a way so as to never let go. It is to lay hold of tightly as one would a buoy or a raft on a stormy sea. It is like grasping a rope and holding on to it for dear life because such a one knows that letting go would be disastrous. The Psalms are filled with terms like refuge, shelter, hiding place and the likes. In “clinging” to God, there is safety. Being “anchored” in God’s love is another shade of the term, ‘cling to’. The Lord desires that in our relationship with Him, we cling to Him with a hold that will never let go.

The third term, “rely on” can also mean to “depend on”. Can we in our walk with God, through the journey of life, rely on Him and depend on Him as the One who is fully trustworthy and dependable? As the One who cares for us and will never fail when we have put our trust in Him? Did not Christ show His love for us by dying for us while we were still sinners? Does not Scripture tell us that they that put their trust in God will never be disappointed?

The problem with us is that we are too afraid to trust in, cling to and rely on Him who is unseen. We would rather trust in what we can relate to; what is known and tested by the world as the “logical way”. We would rather cling to things that have earthly value, such as wealth or property or a source of revenue we can rely on because we can depend on that source at some point or another. We would rather lean on what our senses make us believe is reliable and dependable. 

Here lies the difficulty in keeping the gospel simple. Instead of trusting in, clinging to and leaning on God we relegate God to the peripheral aspects of our life—aspects that do not interfere with our decisions. We are content with fellowship and prayer and reading of the Bible as long as it does not come in the way of our choices.

Someone once said to me, “I cannot take the chance.” This brief yet honest confession is the underlining reason why we would rather trust our wisdom than God’s wisdom. It is the reason why would rather rely on our plans than God’s plans. We know in our hearts that God is all-wise; that He never makes a mistake; and that His plans are eternal and always for our welfare. Yet because we cannot see the Almighty Creator, we are satisfied to rely on and trust in that which we can see and relate to.

We are willing to cling to the truth that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. We are willing to believe that through Jesus we are redeemed from the kingdom of sin; and that through Him we have the assurance of eternal life. We believe in our sonship. We believe in all the promises that God has given. We believe and sing, “There is none like You.” But look closely! The belief is on what Christ has done or doing for us; not on what we need to do. This is also one of the reasons we are selective when we read promises like those in Deuteronomy 28. We remember and proclaim and even remind God verses 3 to 13(a), but conveniently forget or pay no attention to verse 1, 2 and 13 (b). 

Is not a covenant between two people? When Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His blood it wasn’t that He would be the only party to honour the covenant and we would be merely recipients, was it? Is there no “loving God”, “obeying God” or “faith in God”? Are we not expected to please God? If we reflect on the terms, “love God”, “obey God” or “faith in God”—all three mandatory commands as our part of the covenant—we will soon understand that they find purpose only in the person of God and all that He is. How then can we do this if we do not trust in, cling to and lean on the person of God?  

What a pity that Christians settle down for something mediocre when God desires for us the best—all because we “cannot take the chance.” What a shame that the Church that is expected to proclaim the glory of the gospel; and display the power that is in it; while shining forth the light which is ‘Christ in us’; finds herself a poor witness and powerless. A ‘witness’ is one that testifies what he has actually experienced. Such a testimony is then considered true. Peter, John and the other Apostles spoke as witnesses because they saw and tasted and experienced Jesus. How sad that we testify about Jesus Christ because of what we read and hear.

I recognise that none of what I have written is easy. This is why I said that we make that which is simple, difficult. It requires total surrender. It demands 100% faith and obedience. There are no half-ways. God in His mercy accepts the littleness of our faith but He also expects it to grow. We must move from children to young men to fathers (1Jn. 2:12-14). Note how the Apostle John describes both the children and the fathers. They both know God yet there is a big, big difference in the knowledge of each. 

May God stir our hearts to repentance. May He spur within us a resolute commitment that we would enter this New Year with the earnest, longing and sincere heart to ‘believe’ in Him completely, not selectively. May He be glorified in us as we trust in, cling to and rely on Him, for this is what the gospel demands.

The Church in a Cashless Economy

“And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead; and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:16, 17

I very seldom write on current news except when it has some bearing on Bible prophesies. Also, this writing is more India-centric and how I see the Church in this country’s new economic push. Therefore I am not quite sure if what I write is from the Lord. However the focus of my writing eventually leads to an aspect that the Church needs to pay careful heed to, lest she finds herself unprepared and I think this is what the Lord would want too.

About three weeks after the Prime Minister of India announced that high denomination notes (which constituted nearly 86% of the cash in circulation) was no longer going to be recognised as a legal tender, I found this thought impressed upon my heart: “I have placed this government in power to fulfil what I have purposed.” This was at a time when the entire country was facing a severe cash crunch. Bank restrictions on how much money one can withdraw, serpentine queues outside banks, non-functional ATM machines have put citizens through enormous difficulties. The crisis is still on, even as I write.

A day later, news of airports in two South Indian cities allowing biometric data stored on the Unique Identity Card (known in India as the Aadhar card) as identity proof to permit passengers into the airport building caught my attention. The government controlled Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI) has in its possession the name, age, photograph, address, fingerprints of all 10 digits and the iris scan of each individual who has obtained this card. A 12-digit unique ID number given to each card holder has served for some years now as a proof of identity.

Barely 24 hours later I read of how the Government of India was going to make it compulsory for all bank account holders to link their Aadhar card to their bank accounts—something that has hitherto been optional and only if one wants to avail of direct government benefits, like subsidy and the likes. Not long after that I read of how the government is planning to launch a new way of transaction now referred to as the Aadhar Payment App (or Aadhar Pay). Two banks have already initiated this; one of them being India’s largest Public Sector bank and on December 25, 2016, close to 100 merchants have begun using this form of transaction.

Here is where this new drive to get India into a cashless economy appears to be heading in the direction of Revelation 13:16-18. The system is simple and “will enable citizens in the deepest corners of the country to participate in the digital movement, even those who do not own a phone,” said the CEO of one of the banks that is part of the nationwide launch of an Aadhar-linked cashless solution. It works this way: A merchant is given an Android based smart phone with the Aadhar Pay App on it. He is also given a fingerprint scanner. All the customer needs to do to pay for his purchase is provide his Aadhar number (which is of course linked to his bank account) and authorize the payment using his fingerprint. Nothing else!

I believe that this is the beginning of what will soon be the chief form of transactions. If anyone needs to buy or sell, it will require the individual’s biometrics. The severe cash shortage and the government’s earnest resolve to push for cashless transactions has already taken centre-stage so as to quickly bring normalcy to the lives of every Indian. However my fear is this: Could this eventually lead to what has been told to us by God nearly 2000 years ago? How this will play out on a global scale, I do not know. What I do know is that the time has come for the Church to awake (Eph. 5:14).

The purpose of my writing this is to encourage each Christian heart to build their lives on the most holy faith they have in God (Jude 20). Now is the time, when the Church needs to cling to God in complete trust—in His care and faithfulness and mercy and goodness. Now is the time for each heart to be anchored in God’s unfailing, forever-enduring, inseparable and immeasurable love—an anchor that is lodged in deep so that we are not shaken in crisis; nor moved with fear when times of distress come upon us. If we do not use this time, while it is still day to know the God we believe in and lean on Him with an unshakeable faith, I fear night will come when no man will be in a position to do much (Jn. 9:4). Now is the time to gather oil in our flasks. A time will come when we will find it very difficult.

I do not write this to frighten anyone. I too pay for what I need using online transactions or debit card and sometimes my e-wallets. But never have I used my fingerprints to buy anything. So I write this to alert the Church. I write this with the desire that the Church awake, “for we are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness” (1Thes. 5:5).

“God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thes. 5:9). The Lord knows those who are His (2Tim. 2:19) and He will keep and protect His children if they have to go through the tribulation. Just as it is written, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads” (Rev. 7:3). However twice in two chapters has God said, “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus” (Rev. 13:10; 14:12). If anyone has an ear, let him hear (Rev. 13:9).

The Glory of God in the Birth of Christ

God reveals several of His attributes in the birth of Jesus Christ. While I post this writing at a time when the world celebrates that glorious occasion when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14), my hope is that by reminding ourselves of the glory of God, we shall be encouraged to cling to Him with greater trust—for I believe that this is what is critically needed in the Church in the times we are living in. Though there would be several attributes that we could glean from scripture, I list out just six.

The first attribute that is revealed of our glorious God is that He is eternal and omniscient. God made known through the prophets of the Old Testament precisely what He was going to do to redeem man from their sins. As far back as to Adam and Eve, nearly 4000 years before the birth of Christ, God declared how Jesus would crush the head of the serpent though He Himself would be bruised (Gen. 3:15). From then on God showed this to other men down the ages—to Abraham and Moses and David and Isaiah and Daniel and many others. The word that came to these men, hundreds or sometimes thousands of years before it actually happened described exactly every detail with absolute precision—the Messiah’s virgin birth, His name, the place of His birth, the day and even the time of His sacrifice as the Lamb of God. Scripture even revealed details of what would happen at the time of His death—the mocking, the plucking of His beard, the tunic He wore, the gall He was given and even the fact that not a bone in His body would be broken—it all happened precisely just as God revealed so many hundreds of years before it happened.

The point I am making is this: We serve a God who is eternal. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows precisely what is to happen, how and when. Nothing takes God by surprise. Nothing is hidden from Him. What is more—He knows exactly what He wants to do well in advance and is fully capable of carrying out His purpose just as He desires.

God is encouraging us to trust in Him with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. He invites us by saying, “Acknowledge Me as the One who knows your tomorrows and as One who is fully able to direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5, 6). I ask that the Church would be so trusting; in Him who can do a better job at directing our steps and our decisions without any mistake. May this character of God encourage us to hold nothing back but lean on Him completely. The God we believe in has our future safe in His hands.

The second attribute of God that is revealed in the birth of Christ is His unchanging, faithful character. Simeon waited for the fulfilment of God’s promises even though God was silent for nearly 400 years after last speaking through Malachi. Simeon knew God to be unfailing. He knew that God is dependable and trustworthy. God rewarded Simeon’s faith by revealing to Him that he would not see death until he saw the salvation of God (Lk. 2:25-32). 

Ever so often we go through times when it appears as though God is doing nothing. God’s silence perplexes us. It’s as though our prayers are in vain. The fact is that God neither slumbers nor sleeps. He is working even now (Jn. 5:17; Php. 2:13). Just because we do not see answers to our prayers at the time we ‘expect’ does not mean God is doing nothing. His word assures our hearts that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry (Psa. 34:15).

The third attribute of God that we see in the birth of Christ is the limitless power of the Almighty. Never in the history of mankind has anyone ever been born of a virgin, save Jesus Christ. Mary herself asked the most expected question that any person would ask (Lk. 1:34). The answer to her is the answer to us too. “With God nothing will be impossible” (Lk. 1:37). Our Lord Jesus said the same thing in another context. “The things that are impossible with men are possible with God” (Lk. 18:27). 

We know and have confessed with our mouths that nothing is too hard for God. We sing songs with our lips that proclaim, “Nothing! Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Nothing is too difficult for Thee.” Yet when it comes to dealing with our problems, we rely on our wisdom, our strength and our abilities. We run to people. We rely on the strength of horses and on princes (Isa. 31:1). God invites us saying, “You know that I am the King of Glory. Will you make me the King of your life? Would you let My rule and will have jurisdiction over your every decision?” Can we trust God’s leadership? Can we lean on His mighty power? Can we give Him control over our choices and decisions and say to Him in all sincerity, “I want Thee O King to have Thy way in my life. May Thy will alone be done”?

You know, when the Lord Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and open the door, I will come in to him and dine with him,” He was not speaking to unbelievers. I have often heard Christians use this verse to tell the unsaved that God is waiting for us to open the door of our hearts to Him. While it is true that the Lord is waiting for all men to respond to His mercy and love, the appeal that our resurrected Lord made was to a Church. He was telling those whom He had saved and cleansed and redeemed, “Behold I stand at the door and knock.” Are we like the Laodiceans where the King is ‘outside’ and not permitted to govern our lives? Where we have control over our decisions and imply indirectly to God, “Let me make all these important decisions, dear God. What I would like You to do however is bless my efforts. Do the extraordinary and sit quietly in the background as I give Thee my praise.” I wish it were not so, but I fear that many in the Church are like the Laodiceans. They are neither cold nor hot. They think that they are rich and wealthy and have need of nothing but fail to see that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (Rev. 3:15-17).

The fourth attribute of God that is seen in the birth of Jesus Christ is the fact that God is Sovereign, protective and caring. King Herod tried everything within his power to get rid of Jesus. He tried first with trickery to extract information from the magi. He then flew into a rage and used his power to kill innocent children in his attempt to destroy Jesus (Mt. 2:7-16). Yet through it all, God kept Jesus safe. There was no harm or danger that could ever touch Him.

God in like manner tells us that He is our fortress when we make Him our refuge. He is our Shield. He is our Defender. Hebrews 13:6 says, “…What can man do to me?” Psalm 91:1 tells us that God will cover us with the shadow of His wings when we make Him our shelter. I once shared this example with a congregation of saints. I said that the Prime Minister of a country is surrounded by special highly trained security guards. They are his shield and his defender. When this important person is in danger, he does not take it upon himself to defend his life. He trusts his security who is his shield and defender to take care of that. Why then do we say to God, “You are my fortress,” and still seek ways to protect ourselves. 

May God give us the faith to rest in His love and care, just like Jesus who slept at the back of a tossed boat in the midst of a raging storm surrounded by threatening situations. Seasoned fishermen feared for their lives, but our Lord rested securely in the love of His Father (Mt. 8:23-27).

There is another attribute that we often tend to ignore. This happens because we allow our physical senses to determine what is real and reliable. The truth is that though God is invisible to our senses, He is more real and more near to us than we can ever imagine. At the time of our Lord’s birth, shepherds were watching their flock by night. The Bible first tells us that an angel of the Lord appeared to them (Lk. 2:8, 9). The angel was there. They just did not know it until their eyes were opened to see him. Later in that chapter we are told that “suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God” (Lk. 2:13). This multitude of angels was there with the first angel. It is just that the shepherds could not see them. When Jacob met the Lord at Bethel he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” (Gen. 28:16)

May God open the eyes of our heart to recognise that though He is invisible to us, He is ever present. His word is true when He said, “I will never leave you nor will I forsake you. (Heb. 13:5)” It wasn’t exaggeration when He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:20) We need to believe it and cling to this unseen God for in Him lies our safety and our help.

Finally, the attribute that we are all so familiar with is God’s love. The oft quoted verse, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” is not just for our wall posters. It is the very demonstration of God’s love—that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). In that is God’s love over us that endures forever (Psa. 136). In it is His love that never fails. Through that love we understand that nothing can separate us from God. His love for us is inseparable (Rom. 8:39). His love is also boundless or immeasurable or fathomless (Eph. 3:18).

Why then are you afraid O my soul. Why do you tremble within? Rest in Him for His love just goes on and on and never stops. Lean on Him who is dependable and trustworthy for He never fails. Cling to Him tightly and firmly for though His love is inseparable, it is easy for thee to stray. Know that you can cast your cares on Him because He cares for you (1Pet. 5:7).

I have written all the above attributes of God that we may believe in Him and let that faith in the person of God affect our very life, our decisions and our choices. How sad it is when we hear the word and take no action. It is like the seed that either falls to the ground, or on rocky ground or among thorns. I sometimes tell my hearers that we expect that every child will grow with each passing year—from infant to toddler to young boy to grown boy and then to manhood. If this growth does not take place we call this abnormal yet how complacent we are not to apply the same standards in the Church. How sad when men and women sit with the Church for years and are still not able to move beyond the milk phase. How sad that they are not ready for solid food (Heb. 5:12). 

Our Lord Jesus gave us a very solemn warning in a story He narrated in Luke 13:6-9. It should shake us from our slumber and bring us to our knees in repentance lest after years of toil and labour in the Father’s garden we should be found to have leaves only, bearing no fruit. Our High Priest, who intercedes for us, says “Sir, let it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.” He who has ears to hear, let him hear.