Sunday, September 10, 2023
Grace for a Bigger Capacity for Greater Supply - Ps Joshua Yee
There is a certain individual that has short changed me and left me in a total financial loss. People that I have trusted. It is not easy to forgive but we must in order to move on to a greater arena of blessings "than what was lost". When we have a revelation of how big our God is, we can forgive unconditionally the way He forgave us, and move on in our lives for the better.
Sure we may still have scars from "what was", but as we sang the “Way Maker” the Lord in our midst reminded that He is a “Promise keeper” who allowed things to be taken away to enlarge my capacity for greater and bigger things ahead. Over a dozen years of isolation had prepared me for what God has predestined me to be, and certainly to enlarge my capacity for His greater supply, and surprisingly even my capacity to forgive.
Nothing forces a person to confront their true self like suffering. Suffering causes our focus to turn inward, to face those parts of ourselves we might otherwise ignore especially our flaws. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us – Oliver Wendell Homes. And when God bring what lies within us out into the world, miracles happen. The world will be shaken and impacted.
Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
In the darkest of days is when I developed steel and resolve "within"; from a panicky, dependent person to one that knows very well that He had and continues to supply my every need ‘liberally’ and ‘fully’. Knowing God’s generous nature, assures us that He desires very much to supply us all our needs from His glorious riches that abound in Christ Jesus.
Today, God had expanded my resources and His supply in view of the new challenges and openings in front of me.
1. See God as Big enough for all your needs
When men said my career and my dreams are over, that is when God took over. When men says it OVER that is when God takes OVER. Without battles there can be no victory! You may not see it, or feel it; but He is working for you without rest behind the scenes. If God had showed me His plan for me years back, I would have certainly chickened out. But He knows the end, from the beginning, I don’t. When God restores you, even your enemies will be amazed and tremble (Jeremiah 33:9). He will give you a wholesome prosperity that will be the envy of many. It is not being avaricious, but it is definitely not romantic to be poor as Pastor Joshua puts it.
Genesis 26:12 “Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.”
In these end-times God is hastening His blessings and supply. Like Isaac we will reap multiple folds what we sowed in a short period.There are decades when nothing happens; then there are months when decades happen. Indeed for so many years I thought to myself and wondered if all the promises of God for my life are true. Maybe I heard wrongly. Maybe the prophesies from the pastors are false. I felt like Joseph who believed God had destined me for greatness only then to be quickly sold into slavery and thrown into prison for a dozen years.
Life dealt me with a cruel turn. I felt hopeless and abandoned by many. When life becomes difficult it is always reassuring that we can turn to God. The same God who came down 2000 years ago in the flesh, the same God who said to Moses “I am that I am”. He is the only one who can understand all our hurts and pain. No one else can heal your afflictions as they are all personal. Each heart knows it own bitterness, and no one can share its joy (Proverbs 14:10).
But God can, as it is only His word that can penetrate the soul and spirit, joints and marrow He created in us. Therefore turn to Him, and He will incline to you and hear your cry. His loving hands will be there to embrace you.
When the storms of life come, just lean on Him and be still. Listen to His still soft voice, the same voice that calmed the raging storms, and He will lift you out of your despair. His is truly the Lily in my darkest valley.
We walk by faith not by what situation we see ourselves in- be it in isolation, a metaphoric prison, or the good times. Faith comes by ‘continually’ hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).
2. When the manna ceased
Exodus 16:35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
The Israelites ate manna for 40 years. When the manna ceased its usually harvest season. The Israelites are now to eat from the land flowing with milk and honey. God will not allow some things to cease unless He has prepared a greater calling, a greater purpose for you. So do not cling on to old things that hold you back, and do not hesitate to move on when the previous season had served its purpose.
Job 5:11-12 The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. He thwarts the plans of the crafty so that their hands achieve no success.
Let God deal with those who had hurt you. I see those crafty ones that hurt me are now totally broke. Manna is good for a season to shape us internally, but God is about to give you solid food, solid blessings.
3. God Himself desires Personally to fulfil all your needs
Matthew 28:20 “..lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
You may be in a sticky situation and wonder how is God going to meet your need. Trust Him as He is with you till the end of age. He will find ways to deliver what you need. He used a raven to deliver bread and meat to Elijah (1 Kings 17:6). Trust Him even if you are down to your last ounce of resource like the widow (1 Kings 17: 12). It was during MCO 1.0 that I had a major breakthrough that led to other breakthroughs and ongoing restoration. Yes when we could not even leave our homes due to covid-19. He will find a way to restore us and fulfil all our needs.
Fear and worries come because we are expecting and looking to things or human beings to fulfil needs that only God can fully meet – Pastor Joshua. No one can out-supply the Lord, so inquire Him in prayer and He will guide you.
Be still O my soul
And rest in God;
Be still in His presence,
For only He can heal.
So be still my soul,
Embrace His healing hands.
Many are my afflictions,
Abundant are my thorns.
I focus my eyes on You, Lord,
So whisper to me now.
Your voice is all I need to hear
Your assurance is all I seek;
Your voice is all I want;
The voice that calms the raging storms.
Heal me with Your love, Lord.
O this imperfect life
Is but a moment in eternity.
I place my head upon Your breast,
Let me see life through Your eyes.
In an instant I will be comforted;
No more will I ask why,
Knowing the afflictions are small,
Compared to the crown that awaits.
Strengthen this child who cries to You.
Keep me in Your might
Lift me on eagle’s wings to soar again
Giving all glory to You.
Strengthen me, O Lord.
(Source: Victor Chen, Refresh-Psalms for 21st Century Living 2003)
