Reaping with Songs of Joy: A Reflection on Psalm 126
Let us willingly believe in the reality of God’s providence, sustaining us as we await the return of Christ. There will be songs of joy, but only when the tearful task of sowing has been done and the crop has matured for harvest.
From Where Does Your Hope Come?: A Reflection on Psalm 66
Right now, many brothers, sisters, and churches are experiencing snares and fire. It seems the enemy is trampling on our vineyard, and our burden is so heavy that we are unable to carry it. Where is the hope of our salvation?
How I’m Praying
In this month of lament, I am praying that God will “grant us the surprising peace of Christ.” As Psalm 88 shows, we can come to God in our despair and with troubled souls. As one person, I can do nothing to solve the problems of persecuted Chinese Christians. But I can share their sorrow, and I can bring that anguish to the Lord.
Resurrection as the End of History: A Reflection on Psalm 42
Facing the weight of the cross, Jesus was so troubled in spirit that he nearly died. In fear and grief, he turned to God in prayer and sang a cosmic lament as he waited for deliverance. However, just like in this psalm, even death did not bring him deliverance. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation.” Death is not the end of history: resurrection is.
He Knows You and Accepts You: A Reflection on Psalm 88
In the face of the uncertainty and confusion of the COVID pandemic, some brothers and sisters will feel uneasy in their hearts. Bring your inner tumult to God: he knows you and accepts you. Faced with the deterioration of the faith environment in this country and the winds of persecution, some brothers and sisters will be weak and fearful. Bring your weakness and your fear to God: he knows you and accepts you.
Turn Our Sorrow Into Prayer: A Reflection on Psalm 6
David saw that turning back to God was the only way to escape the darkness. He believed God was full of grace, and that even though he was covered with filth, God would still have mercy on him, forgive him, save him, and hear his prayers. Do we have this kind of faith? Are we convinced that God alone is the only way out? Can we turn our sorrow into prayer?
Rejoice In Our God: A Reflection on Psalm 16
Through Jesus Christ, we now have the power to face death, and the confidence to face the future. Life and death are not in opposition; suffering and joy are no longer contradictions; this world and eternity are not cut off from one another. Instead, these things have great continuity, echoing and melting into one another. Through Jesus, every difficult situation becomes another opportunity to, in faith, draw on the riches of God’s grace.
Seated with Christ in Heaven: A Reflection on Psalm 2
Today is the time the gate of grace is wide open. Today, it is still possible to wake up, repent, and be disciplined. The world has heard that Jesus is love, that Jesus laid down his life for us, that Jesus was crucified for us—but the world does not know that Jesus is king, that Jesus is Lord, and that Jesus will judge all unbelievers with righteous anger.
Why do we tremble and rejoice as we serve God? We tremble because we know we are not worthy, and that no one can come to the Father except through Christ. We rejoice because we are blessed, at at this moment we are seated with Christ in heaven.
The Response to Persecution Is Worship
Our obedience and faithful following of Christ is the result of these first two realities. Chinese churches are not praying to “leave Jerusalem”; they are not praying for their suffering to be removed. They see that these things are an integral part of being united with Christ. Suffering is a part of our kingdom identity. It is how the kingdom advances. Yet, we do not seek suffering: we seek Christ.
The Church’s Heavenly Nature and Faithful Obedience in the Spirit
Chinese churches believe that, if they are being persecuted, it is the mark of their heavenly citizenship. As a Chinese brother told me only last night: their identity is not that of the persecuted church. Their identity is the church of Christ, and as such they participate in the sufferings of Christ.
