Firmness, Strength, Rest

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him …” (2 Chronicles 16:9a).

When I think about our church EM and HM young generation, my heart goes out to you.  And I thank you for who you are and what you have been doing in our church.  For many years you were without any formal teachers or pastor to lead you, guide you, teach you and take care of you.  But you have been patient and endured many difficulties.  Also, you never gave up.  Although I am sure there were many discouraging things that you have saw and experienced in our church, you never gave up.  But you tried and tried to do something about our community and you kept on stepping on to build our church.  And I just want to say to you all “THANK YOU!”

Today, as we are having Memorial Sunday joint worship, I want to challenge all of you with 3 things:

First, may the Lord firmly establish us.

Look at 2 Chronicles 17:5 - “The LORD established the kingdom under his control …”  Our church is the Lord’s church.  And the Lord promised to us that He will build His church (Mt. 16:18).  It is our prayer that the Lord to build us and firmly establish us on the Rock, Jesus Christ and His Word.  So whatever difficulties come, however Satan tempts us, we stand firm in the faith without being shaken.  In order to be like that, we must devote ourselves to the Word of God.  We must meditate the God’s Word day and night.  And we must be quick to listen to His voice.  As we do so, our faith must grow.  There must be progress of our faith.  So whatever difficulties come to our church, however Satan tempts us we must overcome them and victorious by firm faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second, may the Lord strengthen us.

Look at 2 Chronicles 16:9a: “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him …”  God searches every heart and understands every intent of the thoughts (1 Chron. 28:9).  Also, God tests the heart and is pleased with integrity (29:17).  When God searches our heart and test our heart, what He wants to see is whether we trust Him and rely on Him or not.  I think God even gives us (or allow us to go through) (very) difficult thing(s) or hardship(s) in order to test our heart whether we fully trust Him and rely on Him or not.  At that time, we need to realize how weak we are.  And we need to learn how to acknowledge our weakness.  When we do so even through the difficulties and hardships, then we can look upon Almighty God and rely on Him for our deliverance.

Third and last, may the Lord give us rest

Look at 2 Chronicles 15:15 - “All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.”  In order for us to have rest, we must seek the Lord with all our heart and soul.  We must seek God eagerly.  Then God will be found by us.  And the Lord will give us rest (vv. 11, 15).  Also, we must get rid of all the sins in our heart, in our home and in our church.  Then the Lord will give us peace and rest.

My dear EM and HM young brothers and sisters in Christ, God loves you!  He sent His own Son Jesus to die on the cross in order to save you and to give you eternal life.  He who loves us gave us His promise that He will build His church.  Let’s hold onto His promise for our Lord is truthful and faithful God.  Let’s keep on participating in building His church for His Kingdom and His glory!  As we do so, there will be times when we doubt, discouraged and don’t know what to do.  I am sure there will be anxiety, struggles, fear and so on.  But let us pray (cry out) to God.  Let us ask Him to establish our church firmly on the Rock, Jesus Christ.  Let us ask the Lord to strengthen us so that we may be able to keep it up the good work and fight the good fight.  Let us seek Him eagerly and may God give us peace and rest.

Holing unto the Lord’s promise to our church, Matthew 16:18,

James Kim