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WAITING IN HOPE
(Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Cor 1:3-9—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang)

Most of us face a myriad of different pressures and life challenges. For some, it feels like they are living in a pressure cooker. How about you? How do you cope (or overcome) your life-pressure? Difficult marriages? Unending family feuds? Sickness? Bussiness bullies, etc... We can’t wait for all these to end as soon as possible. Advent is a time for waiting. In facing all these we may like Isaiah, to call the Lord to come soon and to put all these unideal life to an end.


Isaiah was facing pressures from both sides: the enemies (v2) and the sins of Israel. (v6) In his desperation, he called upon the Lord, “Oh that you would rend the heaven and come down.” The bigger concern however was the sins of the people of Israel:  (6) All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (7) No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins.
In what way, this situation has resembled today’s church or Christians? How much have we been taking hold of God in our everyday life? There isn’t dichotomy between spiritual life and public life. Our secret devotion defines our public manner. Our service to the church and the world defined by our communion with God. What shall we do?

Sri Muliani, the Finance Minister, in her concern about the quality of the people of Indonesia, repeatedly mentioned, “Going to school, will not automatically make us  learners and clever unless we make effort to learn.” Likewise, “Going to church will not automatically make us godly and good. It depends on our relationship with God—we need to let the Spirit of God to work in our consciousness, be aware of His presence at all time. We need to take time to listen, to read, and to reflect what God is speaking to us and working in our life—to take hold of God! (v7) When we’re meditating on this Isaiah 64—how do you see yourself as: Isaiah, the enemies, or the people of Israel? What God is saying to you and what do you need to do?

In his frustration, Israel remained a loving and faithful prophet—he interceded for the people of Israel (vv 8-9)--Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever.
1 Cor 1, reminds us the hope in Christ. God won’t act like a protective parent who will help to clear their children’s messes. Rather, He equippes us to cope and overcome life pressures! Be known that we who are in Christ, we have His grace and have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—” 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 NIV


The end of time will come in God’s time. Only the Father knows the time. While we are waiting, we who have been redeemed, the presence of Christ within us, will enrich us, sustain us, help us faithful to the end. And like Isaiah, while we are waiting, let’s also intercede for God’s church, and for the world to turn to God.  (PLT)

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