Psalm 103:7-10 (ESV)
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
What are the emotions that run through you at this time of global crisis? In a lockdown. It is natural to go through different emotions as human beings. Otherwise we are not human.
We are created with needs and to be needed. It is called connection. At this time, we are mourning over many things, one is connection with the outer world. Yes, I can hear the
introverts disagreeing – I am one too! Freedom of movement, inconveniences, financial crisis, disruption to normal life. Or at least to the post-modern lifestyle. I reckon our forefathers would
not feel so tortured nor inconvenienced.
Which end of the fulcrum are you standing? Standing on one end hopelessly frustrated with utterly stubborn people in the society who just cannot understand the urgency of the matter, or
the other end just not getting it why the utter seriousness of having to comply with the lockdown – entitled for some exception and justification?
Does anyone know how infuriated you are?
The truth is yes. Someone understands fully. Absolutely. Have we asked how does he feel? How does God feel? Have we inquired of God like Samuel did (1 Samuel 23:1-12)?
I stand on the end of total exasperation that the society doesn’t comply with the movement restriction and diminishing in my patience. The Lord lured me to look into his eyes from Psalm
103:7-10. He is so full of compassion (which means love and mercy) and grace, slow to anger, abounding in love, will not always accuse, nor harbour his anger forever.
If exasperation, God would be the first one. Throughout the generations, he laid down his laws for a blessed life and mankind stubbornly refused. We asked for exceptions and justification for
our case. Yet God stay true to his attributes for not zapping us off this planet earth by rebelling against him. I’ve still a long way to keep learning more to be like him. If I feel exasperated now,
how much more God is and should be?
On the contrary, if you still cannot comprehend this whole movement control, ask God to show you the rationale. If there is still shadows in the comprehension, won’t you just submit to this
directive like you would also submit to God who desires the best for us – for he made known his ways to Moses, he will made it known to us too. He demonstrated his deeds to his people then.
He will do the same for us today.
Be patient and wait upon the Lord.
Ask how He feels.
“Heavenly Father, we are helpless but not without hope. We commit all our frustration to You at this time and trust You deliver us from this ordeal. In this time, teach us to keep praising and
praying. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 21 March 2020