New Year New Hope
Elder Samuel Ching
Dear Friends, Happy New Year!
The Lunar New Year is a major time of celebration for many. Office workers looked forward to holiday reunions and trips with their families. Everyone would also visit each other, and exchange greetings and gifts amidst the festive mood. A steady stream of wealth, smooth sailing all year, and wishes coming true were frequently heard well-wishes, even though we all knew they were just words of blessing which may not come true.
Many would also make new year wishes and resolutions, hoping for a better year than the last. They wished for better academic results, promotions and increments, peace and safety for the whole family, and good health. Yet, with the global economy in freefall and national debts mounting across the world, “neijuan” or infighting within each domain became commonplace. Retrenchments and pay cuts were rampant and job hunting became much harder. Families faced ever growing costs of living while our health and wellness declined with age. Everyone was confused by the myriad of troubles and did not know how to tackle the challenge. Who can provide us with true hope, peace, and blessing?
Peace and Blessings Come from Knowing God
God is the creator of our universe and the only God of humanity. Through the Bible, He reminded us: “Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” (Job 22:21). God here did not refer to manmade clay sculptures, but the Creator of all who gave us the breath of life. He is the Lord of peace who can grant true peace to those who knew Him. No matter what troubles, adversity, worries and fears they faced, He can save them and grant them new peace and strength to overcome all challenges and enjoy wellness and peace of mind and spirit.
What Blessings are In Knowing God?
The Bible tells us: “Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” (Job 22:21). This meant that when people believed in Him and accepted His son Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, they will receive the abundant blessings He has prepared for them, including:
- Receive the forgiveness of sins, so that the soul will not suffer eternally in hell for their sins in life but can instead ascend to heaven and enjoy eternal joy and blessings.
- Receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, who helps and saves them at all times in life.
- Receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, so that peace and joy remain in them and helps them to overcome the bondage of sin, allowing them to be at peace with others and have true freedom.
- Receive new life from God and becoming His children, that they can pray for His help any time and have His protection. God watches over our entire lives and loves us till the very end. What amazing blessings these are! These are what God wants to give to you right away!
How do We Get to Know God?
Consider for a moment – all humans have sinned and are filled with selfishness, deception, envy, and all sorts of unclean desires. How can they even see God like this, let alone come to know Him? Thanks be to God. He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to come to our world and take up our sins as the sacrificial lamb. He was nailed to the cross and rose again from the dead after three days, ascending to His place at the right hand of God’s throne. There, He sent the Holy Spirit to us and gave eternal life to all who believe in Him. Therefore, knowing God means to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour, so that we can receive all the peace and blessings He has prepared for us. Indeed, there is no other way to find God and salvation apart from Jesus.
Over the years, the author has been blessed to witness at many gospel rallies and during individual evangelism those who discovered God’s joy, peace, and salvation through the Gospel. You too, can have all these by believing in Him, and God is waiting for you to claim your share of His blessings.