|
About
CFCFFL
Who
is the CFCFFL?
The
Movement for Restoration Our
Covenant
Our
Mission and Vision
Our Statement of philosophy
Our
Core Values
Family Ministries Kids
for Family and Life (KFL) Youth
for Family and Life (YFL)
Singles
for Family and Life (SFL)
Handmaids
for Family and Life (HFL)
Servants
for Family and Life (SvFL)
Wish
to JOIN?
The
highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity,
choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over
popularity.
Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for THERE IS
NEVER A WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
-
Bishop Soc Villegas
25 July 2007
|
<<Go
back to menu
LESSONS OF JOB
(Part 31)
TRUSTING THE GOD WHO IS JUST AND RIGHTEOUS
December 3, 2009
In today’s reading we first of all are brought back to our theme for
this year, trust in Jesus. Our theme verse for 2009 says: “for the
Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
(Is 12:2, RSV). Today’s psalm says: “The Lord is my strength and my
song; he has become my salvation.” (Ps 118:14, RSV).
We trust in Jesus because he is our Savior, and he puts strength in our
minds and limbs, and he puts a song in our hearts. We trust in Jesus
because he is the Prince of Peace, who brings the world the peace that
they desperately seek. “You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Is 26:3, RSV). We
trust in Jesus because we can build the foundation of our lives on him
and know that he will being us to eternal happiness. “Trust in the
Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock.” (Is 26:4, NAB). We
trust in Jesus because he is just and righteous.
Isaiah speaks about the justice and righteousness of God. In fact, in
today’s reading justice and righteousness merge and become one,
becoming interchangeable in meaning. We see this from two different
Bible translations.
“Open the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps
faith.” (Is 26:2, NAB). “Open the gates, that the righteous
nation which keeps faith may enter in.” (Is 26:2, RSV.).
We trust that God is just and righteous. This is our faith. In turn, God
desires that we too become, like Him, just and righteous. This assures
the redemption of the remnant of God’s people. This assures our
ultimate entry into heaven.
How do we keep the faith that allows us to enter?
First, because man has become proud in his own achievements and power,
he has failed to be in awe of God and has gone his own way, living his
life according to how he desires to. Thus we need to be humbled. The
sooner we place ourselves in a right posture of humility before an
awesome God, the better it will be for us. Because God does want to
bring us back to Himself, He “humbles those in high places, and the
lofty city he brings down” (Is 26:5a).
With humility and reverential fear, we will enter into a right
relationship with God. We will bow down in worship. In turn, we will
experience the fullness of His love. “Let those who fear the Lord say,
God’s love endures forever.” (Ps 118:4).
Second, because it is often the rich and powerful that oppress the poor
and powerless, if we are to put ourselves in the proper relationship to
God, we must do justice to the poor. God loves the poor and oppressed
and defends them. Ultimately there will be a reversal of fortunes. God
cuts down the proud and lifts up the lowly. The lofty city will be
“trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.” (Is
26:6).
Third, because we remain hard of heart, because we fall into
infidelities, we oftentimes need to be chastised. This comes through
oppression, persecution, affliction, pains, crosses. Such are intended
by God to humble us, to discipline us, to purify us, to bring us back to
Himself. “The Lord chastised me harshly, but did not hand me over to
death.” (Ps 118:18). In fact, the Lord’s intent is to bring us to
life.
Finally, we live our lives according to God’s ways. We carry the name
of Christ, and so we need to live as true Christians. This is a life
lived in obedience to God. This is a life lived in holiness and
righteousness and justice. This is a life that proclaims to all how good
the Lord is. “I shall .... declare the deeds of the Lord.” (Ps
118:17). This is a life of endurance and perseverance, especially in the
face of suffering. In all these will be we truly blessed. “Blessed is
he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Ps 118:26).
When we live our faith in justice and righteousness, we will be able to
face the daunting challenges of life. We will experience the hand of God
on our lives.
-
We can always call upon
Him, especially in challenging times, and know that He will answer
our prayers. “In danger I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me
and set me free.” (Ps 118:5).
-
We have His protection
and we need never be afraid. “The Lord is with me; I am not
afraid; what can mortals do against me?” (Ps 118:6).
-
We can count on His
help, and look to a victorious life. “The Lord is with me as my
helper; I shall look in triumph on my foes.” (Ps 118:7). “I was
hard pressed and falling, but the Lord came to my help.” (Ps
118:13).
-
He is our refuge and we
need not rely on our own or on others’ strength or abilities.
“Better to take refuge in the Lord than to put one’s trust in
mortals.” (Ps 118:8).
With such a life, we
have everything that we need and should want. The Lord Himself is our
savior. He is our strength and our song.
Let us always “give thanks to the Lord, who is good, whose love
endures forever.” (Ps 118:1). “Open the gates of victory; I will
enter and thank the Lord.” (Ps 118:19).
Let there be joy in our hearts every day of our lives. “This is the
day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.” (Ps 118:24).
Let our mouths always proclaim “the joyful shout of deliverance” (Ps
118:15a).
Go
to Part 32>>
|
