top of page
Search

12/26/2021 Look Up to God ~Rev. Bernie Chung

Katie C-Mo and I have lived in San Francisco for eight and a half years. I pass through Golden Gate Park every morning on my way to church. The scenery is full of lush greenery, birds and flowers. On a sunny day I spot the sun near treetops, rising from the east, and breath in fresh air. I greet every new day with praises in my heart. It is always joyful to return to my office to start my day’s work participating in God’s ministry.


Going home in the evening, I would be attracted by the beautiful sky and the sunset in the west. On a windy day, the waves of ocean are barely visible. On a good day when work has progressed twice as fast with half the effort, and the original goal accomplished and meets expectations, I would thank God for his wisdom and guidance. If the day did not go as well, I would remind myself to work harder tomorrow to overcome difficulties. As I watch the ray of the setting sun, God’s promise comes to my mind. I know the setting sun will rise again above the eastern horizon tomorrow. If God gives me one more day to live, I will sleep one more night and wake up tomorrow. I will thank and praise him again for keeping me safe overnight, and granting me the chance to witness the rising sun again. The waking hours allow me to contemplate more on God’s thoughts. God's thoughts are not the thoughts of bringing disasters, but the thoughts of giving peace so that we have eternal hope.


The psalmist wrote Psalm Forty-two to express his desire for God. The very first verse says: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." Even though he yearned for God, he was not able to go to the temple of God to worship him. That was his greatest regret. However, the end of Psalm 42 says: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 42:11 KJVAE). The original text of “the heath of my countenance” means “my salvation and help”.


Brothers and sisters, Christmas has passed and 2022 will be here. The year 2021 calls for deep reflections. The new coronavirus has disrupted our life immensely. Many of us are stressed and become irritable with the situation. However, unanticipated crises also bring opportunities and constructive changes. We are able to use video conferencing and YouTube broadcasts to bring and Sunday School and Worship Services to our brothers and sisters at home while providing in-person ministries. Looking back there were triumphs and deficiencies, but we give thanks and praises to God in all circumstances. We should look up to God our Redeemer and praise him for our salvation. We shall proclaim He is our God because of His faithfulness. And In faith we shall place our trust in Him. May 2022 be another year when we deeply experience the presence of God, Amen!


1 view0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

我們在逆境中處事態度和反應,正是測試我們對神的認識、信心和忠心。在順境中,享受美好的生活,一切順利,身體健康,感謝神是容易的,服事神是容易的,信靠神是容易的。相反地,苦難在眼前,我們的信心會動搖,憂慮境況會惡化,感到筋疲力盡。我們會怎樣回應這境況?我們的回應正是反映我們對神的認識、敬畏和忠心。 從但以利書三章一至十八節,尼布甲尼撒王命令民眾俯伏敬拜金像,沙得拉、米煞和亞伯尼歌對尼佈甲尼撒王的回應,

假若有人控訴我們奪取了神之物時,很多人也會反問:「我們在何事上奪取了神之物?」因為這確實是一個很嚴重的指控!就如瑪拉基書中的以色列人也同樣發出了這個問題。耶和華便說:「就是在你們在當納的十分之一和當獻的供物上。」 今天的信徒可能會反駁,我們當然有十分之一的奉獻,怎麼會是奪取呢?而我亦相信很多信徒有不止十分之一的奉獻。但是神的家是不是單指我們在金錢上的奉獻呢?現今除了金錢上的十分之一外,神更要求我們

從哥林多前書 13章1-13 節中,我們才得知什麼是愛,什麼並不算是愛。如果這聽起來好像很耳熟能詳,皆因這段文字經常在基督教婚禮裡被人引用。非基督徒聽到第一至第三節這些跟行為和異能有關的描述時可能會覺得很怪。然而沒有了愛,這一切都是無用和毫無價值的。這並非是個什麼新鮮概念,在路加福音 10章17-20 節中記載,當七十二個門徒回到耶穌身邊,門徒們對耶穌之名的力量與及對他們能以施行神蹟之事而感到驚愕

bottom of page