A Glimpse of Me

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. …
Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”

—Romans 8:28, 32

What amazing verses of reassurance and hope! All things work together for good to those who love God and are seeking his purpose for their life. And the promise is that we will also have everything we need from God, because he already gave us his most precious gift possible: the life of his Son. Why would he withhold anything else, Paul argues. So today, rejoice that God is working everything out for your good. (—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions)

As I ponder today’s Word… I can’t help but be reminded of God’s faithfulness in His promises. Sometimes, when we look back, especially when we are in a difficult situation, we would always ask why things are happening in unexpected ways. But at the end of the day, we realize that everything we have gone through has a purpose.

For one, I had been doing some physical training in preparation for Mt Kinabalu expedition. But out of the blue, I realized that I needed to come to the Philippines to have my old passport renewed. You can’t imagine how much distance I walked, how many stairs I climbed up and down… and how much I stood up just to have my passport renewal processed.

Now, because of the delay of the processing, I wouldn’t be able to climb Mt Kinabalu… and to think that I have done a lot of physical training just for the climb! But then, I needed that kind of training to sustain me while I was doing my passport renewal.

I was actually doing the training for my trip in the Philippines and not the Mt Kinabalu expedition! Ha! Truly, God is true to His word when He said in Isaiah 55:8-9 (New International Version)

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God never ceases to amaze me.

Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23

The heart is, well, the heart of everything else in our lives. We need to guard it in terms of what we let into it and what we let out of it. Both will determine the course of our lives. Being in touch with your own inner truth, whether feelings, thoughts, needs, or desires, is part of it. Living by values built on the Bible is another part. Guarding against destructive images and other negative input is also involved. Above all else, guard your heart! And—it’s one of the most important things we can teach our children.

[Wisdom] offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.

Proverbs 3:16–18

Encouragement for Today

Wisdom is what people really should seek when pursuing “the good life,” not money. Money is merely a symbol, a medium of exchange. If you don’t have the wisdom to earn and keep wealth, it can ruin your life. Wisdom is what brings life, riches, and honor. Aren’t these the things people really want? Isn’t having these things—life, honor and riches—the very definition of success? We should seek, embrace, and hold on to wisdom, no matter what!

“May he give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors.”

1 Kings 8:58