Day 6: Crisis is God's Opportunity
Today’s Message
“Crisis is God’s Opportunity”
Joshua 3:3-5, 14, 17
We would like to thank Pastor Byung Sam Kim (Manna Church) for his message today. Prof. Eddie Byun (Biola University) will be sharing the message on Monday.
Yesterday’s Sermon
“Restoring the Lost Art of Gratitude”
Isaiah 12:1-6
Pastor Hong Han, Saeroun Church
We live in a generation that has lost the art of thanksgiving. The reason why we are not thankful is that we take things for granted. Clean air, water, food, freedom and peace in the country, health, family, and church are all gifts from God and privileges we get to enjoy. Possessing more things will not bring more happiness. Rather, if we lose what we have and gain it back, that is when the sense of gratitude is restored.
Isaiah 12 is a song of thanksgiving from people who lost everything and will experience restoration. Verse 1 says, “In that day you will say…” This is referring to the day when the Isralites will finally be set free from the hands of their oppressors. They will voluntarily sing songs of praise to the Lord on that day. Why?
1) Because God’s anger has turned away. God was angry towards their sin and executed judgment. However, He didn’t pour out all of His anger but stopped in the middle. He chastised them, but not to death. His grace outweighs the weight of our sin. 2) Because He has comforted them. Not only did he turn away from His anger, but He comforted those who were disciplined because of their sin. The word that is translated as “comfort” can also mean “to heal.” Even though God exercises discipline, the God of love also heals our wounds, comforts us, and gives us strength to rise again.
Verse 2 says, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” The word “surely” in this verse implies, “Don’t you know from past experience?” Because they have experienced God’s salvation, they will no longer fear or rely on the authorities of the world. Our lives change completely once we experience God’s miraculous power.
Psalm 100 says that we enter His gates with thanksgiving. The gates refer to the gates of heaven. Thanksgiving is the password to the gates of heaven. Thanksgiving is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. If we don’t give thanks, Satan will plant complaints, worries, and fear in our hearts. We must not give the enemy a foothold by choosing to give thanks quickly in whatever circumstance. When the gates of heaven open through our thanksgiving, the gates of hell will not prevail. The powers of darkness are overcome, and we gain victory in spiritual warfare.
Today’s passage about the restoration of Israel was a prophecy of their future that had not been realized yet. When the Israelites were in despair because of their suffering, Isaiah saw through the power of the Holy Spirit that there will be an end to their suffering. He saw the future restoration with faith and lifted up songs of thanksgiving in advance. Even though the present circumstances may be difficult, see the future restoration with eyes of faith, and begin to give thanks in advance. God will renew our strength when we choose to be thankful.
Community Stories
“True Reason Behind Teuksae”
Amy K, k-High (10th)
When I was little, I remember not really caring for Teuksae. To me, it was just a tiring church event that happened every year where my mom would wake me up in the early morning, drag me to church, only for me to fall asleep on the comfortable chairs in the worship hall before the service even started. However, as I grew older, I was no longer allowed to sleep during the service and I had to start paying attention to the sermons. This is when I learned the true reason behind why Teuksae was so important to attend. Not only was it one of the few times where our whole church came together to worship as one family, but at the time, it was also an opportunity for me to worship God and really connect with Him in my prayers. Oftentimes, I found myself pouring out all my worries and insecurities to him in my prayers as the service came to a close with an open prayer session. It really helped me as I was able to go to school with a God-conscious mind.
This year, as coronavirus began spreading and as churches all around began closing, my spiritual life also took a pause and began deteriorating. I began losing the passion I once held for God and none of the sermons really struck my heart anymore. I had lost motivation to even attend anything church related. So, I pray that during this year’s Teuksae, God will use it as a chance to restart my spiritual life and reignite the joy I had before through the guest speakers and praise songs. My only prayer request is that God will continue to heal and bless everyone affected by the coronavirus, whether it is spiritually, mentally, or physically.
