Category: New Testament

Closet Faith

Featured ~ Sowmya Gali

Matthew 5: 14 – 16

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

When we become a born-again Christian, as we take our first baby steps in faith, we are eager to shout from the rooftops about our Lord, His goodness, His majesty and His faithfulness. As we continue to walk in faith, the initial fire slowly fades and we slip into a monotonous routine: attending church, doing some volunteer work, charity and some other good works. Yes, it is important that we continue to walk in faith, do all the right things but it is vital that we keep the flame alive in us.

Jesus Christ lit the fire in us when we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. There comes a point in our lives that we should realize if the fire that is lit within us is purifying us from within while shining brightly for the Lord. His cleansing fire should burn away every dross, every thing that is of the world while the Lord is perfecting us into His Son’s likeness. While we are in this perpetual stage of refinement, we should ensure that we continue to shine before the world and not be a closet Christian. Are we a useful instrument in His hands?

Many of us have settled into a mediocre style of walking with the Lord. We are not eager to shine for Jesus as we did in our initial days. We don’t live in expectation that God is going to do something wonderful if we submit ourselves to Him. We are not curious as to what adventure the Lord is going to take us at the next bend. We shield ourselves from the world, put our head down and forge ahead thinking that we are doing good. We hesitate to become a useful instrument in His hands blaming our personalities. We feel we are not cut out for whatever ministry God calls us. We feel that we don’t have confident personalities or the drive or the calling like others. In the end, we tend to focus on our weaknesses, our personalities, and our circumstances. Focus has shifted from Him to self.

Dear Saint of God, there are ebbs and flows in every Christian’s journey. In order for us to obey the commandment of Jesus: go into the world and preach the Gospel, we must keep the fire burning within us. When the fire is burning within us, then we are able to shine brightly for the world around us. Our closet faith is neither good for us nor for others. When the world sees the light of Jesus in us, then they will be drawn to Him like a moth to a flame. We must examine at what stage we are in. Let us forget who we are, what personality we possess but remember whose we are. Let us shift our focus from ourselves to Him. Let us focus on being the light of the world because Jesus declared us so.

May the true light of Jesus Christ continue to burn brightly in us in these dark days. May this light continue to draw others to Christ. May our Lord’s name be glorified through this light.

1 Peter 2: 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Being Preoccupied

Featured ~ Sowmya Gali

Psalm 19: 7 – 11

The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much of the fine gold; sweeter than honey and the dripping of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 27: 4 – 5

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.

Psalm 119: 10 – 11, 14 – 16

With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.  

King David was always delighting in the Word of God. He may not have been a learned man as he rose from being a shepherd boy to the king of Israel. However, he was aware of the law of God. He meditated on His word. Before he became the king, he sought the Lord in every aspect of his life. He sought the counsel of Urim and Thummim in many situations when he was on the run from Saul and when he had to wage war against the enemies of Israel. Later, when he became king, he sought the counsel of the Lord and of the prophets in the land. Whatever situation he was in, he thought of God first.  More than anything else in the world, his delight was in the law of the Lord. He favored the temple courts than any place else. The reason being there was constant praise and worship in the Tabernacle of the Lord by the priests of God and he could join the throngs to worship Him.

David’s preoccupation was God Almighty. He meditated on His law night and day. No wonder he did not fear his enemies. He knew the Lord his banner would be with him. When he wanted to make important decisions, he sought the Lord his wisdom for wise counsel. When he wanted to satisfy the desire of his heart, he delighted his soul with the law of the Lord. Such was the passionate love of David towards His Maker. No matter what circumstance he was in, David was always preoccupied with the Lord, His Word, His laws, His precepts and His presence.

In our present times, we have numerous things to be preoccupied with. We have come up with ways to kill boredom. We have 24/7 television, other forms of entertainment, our careers, families, hobbies, health, etc., to keep our minds occupied. On the flip side, we have the cares of the world, the responsibilities we have to bear, illness of a loved one, the state of our country and world around us, etc., that have become our primary preoccupation. In all situations, it is not a sin if our minds and hearts are preoccupied with these pressing matters. However, are we steering our hearts and minds to the precepts of the Lord? Do we seek the presence of the Lord in all our circumstances?

Dear Saint of God, let us delight ourselves with the Word of God even in dire circumstances. Instead of the worries and anxieties of the world wearing us down, let us wear the garment of praise so that all the cares of the world are washed away from us. For our Lord will take up our burdens upon Himself and He will give us His yoke which is light and easy. King David was confident that if his delight was in the Lord and His house, then His Almighty God would shield him in His Holy Tabernacle. Yes, the cares, the worries, the responsibilities are real and present every day of our lives. Jesus Himself said these words, “But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6: 33 – 34)

Let us be preoccupied with the Word of God, seeking His presence, and His counsel every minute of our lives. Let His laws steer our every thought and every action. Even when we sleep, let His precepts guide us. It is delightful to be preoccupied with His Word for He alone can satisfy us like no other. Once we taste the sweetness of His presence, there is no going back. We become so addicted that we seek His presence constantly. Our Heavenly Father becomes our primary preoccupation. Nothing in this world will delight us like His presence. Yes, we may be distracted for a bit, but our hearts’ desire causes us to refocus on Christ, our Redeemer. For He is beautiful beyond description. Soon will come a day when our Lord will descend and take us home to be with Him where we can truly delight in His presence for all eternity.

Psalm 119: 97 – 98O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine.