As we approach the year-end, it is good to take stock of what has taken place in recent months, including our recent HEAL Singapore and the Breakthrough series of sermons from the pulpit. We have seen many lives touched and healed by the Lord, and we rejoice. Yet, there needs to be a longing for more of His presence. We have heard that God desires to supply our needs (Philippians 4:19) and causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Let us respond in faith and stay dependent on God for His provision, to carry out His purposes. Just like diamonds in a mine, they are already there, waiting to be discovered. Isaiah 30:15 and Isaiah 66:2 are instructive in how we can discover and access God’s provision for the week ahead. 

1.  Repentance and Rest

“In repentance and rest is your salvation.” (Isaiah 30:15a)

Repentance is the lifestyle of the Redeemed. God is already doing a work of holiness in our lives. It is not about us trying on our own to repent and get holier. It is about yielding to God when we meet difficult situations and letting Him sieve out the impurities by a work of His grace. If there is conscious disobedience in our lives, we must return to the Lord’s ways. Outright disobedience is never consistent with real trust in the Lord. However, if we fall into the belief that our salvation is dependent on legalistic rules and strict adherence to man-made guidelines, we completely miss God’s heart for us. Trusting in the Lord means rest from a self-centred life and giving our allegiance back to living out the Christ-centred life. We can find rest in our Saviour, and when we do, it shows we are really trusting in Him. He is our Refuge and our Fortress, our very present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1).

2.  Quietness and Trust

“In quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15b)

Our spiritual strength comes from deepening our relationship with God. It is about protecting our hearts from taking on any lesser lovers so we can be completely His and experience His intimate presence. When we posture our hearts quietly and calmly before God, His grace and peace will overflow in our hearts. Be quiet before Him, and before others. It reveals that you really trust Him with the solutions. He will provide clarity and certainty for each step of faith you take with Him. When we first started the community outreach in Tampines, the Lord supplied many confirmations. Every month we saw His hand of providence, from the essential foods to give the low-income families, to the readiness of our Lighters to step forward and volunteer, to the increasing number of salvations that have come to know Jesus and join our church in the process.

3.  Humility and Contrition

“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2)

God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). When we humble ourselves, we position ourselves to be the prime candidates for His grace to be poured out over us. Do not wait for others or circumstances to humble you. Detest pride and seriously take God at His Word. God will lift those who bow low before Him. The Psalmist David was an imperfect king, but what made him the man after God’s own heart was his hunger for God and his heart of contrition and humility in repentance (Psalm 51:17). Let us always be quick in recognizing our wrongs, turning away from sin, and being committed to restore our relationship with our Lord Jesus. He who is contrite and humble in spirit, the Lord will exalt.

A prayer for us: “Lord, thank You for diamonds that can be found in the treasure mine of Your Word. Your promises help me find rest in You. You are my salvation and my strength to do all that I need to do. For every task ahead this week, help me to first slow down, humble myself, and place my trust in You, knowing that Your heart is for me. Grant me Your peace and clarity to move forward in faith and obedience that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”