DH Update 52

Wednesday Meditation November 22, 2023

(Matthew 25:34,39)
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?'

DH Update 51

Wednesday Meditation November 15, 2023

(Psalm 90:4)
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.

We are very focused on today. Everything that we do is about now. This is so more now than ever before because life has become difficult and unbearable. Hope is no longer a part of reality, but a dream that we may put away for tomorrow when things are better. Life was not always like this. Time was not just about now. Time included past, present and future. For everyone today’s burden is full of worries. Our present and future are fused together. Today’s uncertainties and fears oppress tomorrow’s hope in ways that we walk with minds full of worries today, leaving no room to think of past and future.

DH Update 50

Wednesday Meditation November 8, 2023

(Amos 5:24)
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.

After chastising the people of Israel telling them that their sacrifices were no longer meaningful because they were sinful and corrupt, God tells them to let justice roll down like waters, righteousness like an everflowing stream. The implication is that we, God’s people, are to deal justly with everyone with whom we meet, deal, and live with. Being just is to treat others in the way we want to be treated. It is to love others as we love ourselves.

DH Update 49

Wednesday Meditation November 1, 2023

(Psalm 107:6-9)
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.

I could not watch the picture on my computer screen. It was a picture of Jabaliya Refugee Camp. The bomb(s) wiped out buildings and made concrete into dust. It was a place of refuge, a place full of people with nowhere to run to. My heart stopped. My mind lost any thoughts. There was no word that can be spoken when witnessing such surreal aftermath of destruction. Sounds of justification or accusations mean nothing to ears when our eyes are confronted with empty spots where tall buildings once stood.

DH Update 48

map of the world

Wednesday Meditation October 25, 2023

(Leviticus 19:2, 15)
19:2 Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.

19:15 You shall not render an unjust judgement; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbour.

What does it mean to be holy in this very confusing time? As people who are called to be God’s people, how do we navigate this very difficult time? News of atrocities of wars make us feel helpless.

DH Update 47

map of Israel and Gaza

Wednesday Meditation October 18, 2023

(1 Thessalonians 1:7)
so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

As I write this, Gaza is being turned into rubble. Thanks to Americans backing Israelis, killing of people in Gaza has become part of regular news. In the meantime, some people are once again making this political fight a religious war. Is it? I am only certain of one thing: those who claim this is a long standing religious power struggle are conveniently washing their parts in this atrocity that is taking place now.

What example do we set as Christians in the world? Paul thanked Thessalonian Christians for becoming examples to believers elsewhere.

DH Update 46

map of Israel and Gaza

Wednesday Meditation October 11, 2023

(Philippians 4:4-7)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

DH Update 45

jar full of coins

Thursday Meditation October 5, 2023

(Philippians 2:3)
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Paul is fundraising for the church in Jerusalem. Yes, Paul is the first fundraiser of the Christian church. He had no purpose other than raising monies from churches in many parts of Greece to help Christians in Jerusalem. This was necessary because Christians in Jerusalem were suffering and they were getting poorer due to famine in Judea. He appealed to Christians in Corinth to be generous.

DH Update 44

humility

Wednesday Meditation September 27, 2023

(Philippians 2:3)
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.

We live in a strange world. Our leaders are full of self-importance and excellent at self-aggrandisement. The way our politicians try to get elected is by puffing up what little they have accomplished in life as something major. It is no wonder that people see through their hypocrisy and lies.

DH Update 43

hands folded for prayer

Wednesday Meditation September 20, 2023

(Philippians 1:21)
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

Another day, another atheist emphatically saying there is no God and religions were made up. This woman was so sure and certain that her views were pasted in many prominent places. It made me wonder how she detests people who have the same zeal yet totally opposite view. They accuse each other of being a fraud.