God is Our Dwelling Place

¡§He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.¡¨ (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Although King Solomon was erudite and possessed of great wisdom, having deep insight into the human existence, yet he could only wonder at the unfathomable works of God. But one thing is certain ¡V God has set eternity in the hearts of men so that we realize our lives on earth are very fleeting. When the living flesh nears its end and we walk through the narrow alley of death, men will face eternity. How we confront this eternity forms the basic character of our lives on earth today. A church in Milan has three doors leading inside. Above the access to the right door is written, ¡§Many of life¡¦s difficulties are just temporary¡¨; above the access to the left door, ¡§Many of life¡¦s joys are just temporary¡¨. But above the access to the central door is written, ¡§Only eternity is most true¡¨. Thank God! He has chosen us in His beloved son, so that we are granted salvation through faith, and our sins are forgiven. We can receive His everlasting life, have peace in this lifetime, and be awarded eternal blessings and joy in the next. Therefore, it is through faith that we pass into eternal life.

The mission of Moses was to lead the Israelites away from slavery in the homes of Egypt, and into the bountiful place of rest, flowing with milk and honey, in Canaan. Unfortunately, Israelites fell dead in the wilderness because of their unbelief. During the times of wandering, Moses saw people dying every day. Therefore, in his twilight he wistfully wrote a poem of life that said, ¡§Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations¡¨, and ¡§Return to dust, O sons of men¡¨. (Psalm 90:1,3) In Deuteronomy he said, ¡§The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms¡¨. (Deuteronomy 33:27) God truly is the dwelling place where we can enjoy peace. We enter through our belief. (Hebrews 3:14.19) Throughout our lives on earth, all toils and searches, gains and losses, rights and wrongs, glory and humility, successes and failures are but a process. With the Lord Jesus Christ as our good shepherd leading and nurturing us, we shall want for nothing our whole lives. In the end He will guide us to the House of the Lord where we will dwell forever. (Psalm 23) Now, this good shepherd is preparing the Heavenly Home for us. In the future He will come back and take us there (John 14:3) Therefore, we are people with great hope.

On Wednesday morning I received the news that our beloved sister Winnie Lam was taken back by God. On the one hand, it seemed rather abrupt. On the other, the loss of a member brought much sadness. God had His own good purpose and followed His own method and time in receiving back our sister. Now sister Winnie has ceased her suffering on earth. Through her faith, she has entered into God's rest, and is with the Lord in the eternal kingdom of our Heavenly Father, and enjoying the pleasures of the House of the Lord. God has become her dwelling place. To the family members of our sister, I offer my sincere condolences here. As well, I beseech God to grant you extraordinary blessing in these days, and to let you experience much more of His compassion and peace, so that you will receive the solace of the Lord. Beyond your sorrow and grief, hold on to hope, for we will surely meet again one day in the eternal dwelling of God. In another vein, dear brothers and sisters, since God is our refuge, we should all be comforted, and share more of the Lord through our faith.

Christ said, ¡§I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

By: Daniel To