November 19th, 2021
This week's devotion was written by Kyung Kwon, a Certified Lay Servant in our church, and a very active disciple across many United Methodist agencies beyond the local church. Together, let's learn what it means to find strength, comfort and love in God, even when they seem to be absent in other parts of our lives!
Reverend Dave
____________________
I believe in the sun,
Even when it is not shining.
I believe in love,
Even when I do not feel it.
I believe in God,
Even when He is in silent.
This poem became one of my favorite poems now. During the pandemic I tried to read this poem several times every morning after quiet time with God and I memorized it to think about the true meaning of the words. With the outbreak of Corona virus I was so lonely and fearful in panic away from my family members, friends, and church members. Furthermore I was so depressed with that we could not have the worship at the sanctuary on Sundays. At that time this poem has been a guiding light and a hope for me.
All of us live in the time of unpredictable and difficult future, but one thing I could tell you the everlasting truth that those who believe and trust in God can live their daily living in hope. Not because of more bright and better surroundings are allowed to them, but because they have faith of God’s sovereign the world and leading their life for the purpose of God.
“But now, Lord, who do I look for? My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7) As like King David reflects his whole life and confesses that the origin of our hope in God, the master in our life. A faithful God whose character never changes. He is faithful now in our everyday circumstances of life as He was years ago to them. We can feel confidence in His presence and active involvement, even we can’t see it. And, knowing this, we can trust in Him whenever we are afraid in our life. “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is constantly and fully present with us. We are blessed to know that not only He is with us, but He also lives in us and works through us.
[God is good all the time, all the time God is good.] What a blessing to us to have Him as our Redeemer! With thanksgiving present our requests to God, do not be anxious anything but in everything by prayer and petition. I can tell humbly that personal relationship between me and God is a good foundation of practicing faith daily base through my journey of faith. I set the {Quiet Time} with Him for my priority every morning. I pray God for wisdom and strength to be capable to do daily what I have to do. “Ask and it will given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)
I am so grateful to God for His steadfast love and grace in my present life. I am very touched by His presence during the communion worship every month and I can’t stop tears running down my cheeks with heartfelt thanks during confession and pardon. I believe in God and I trust in Him with His promise ― “And don’t doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.”
I would like to share the poem― ‘Footprints in the Sand’ by Margaret Fishback Powers. You are never ever alone, especially during your most trying times. God is always with you. This poem speaks directly to our unique relationship with God. Our faith in God does not excuse us from experiencing hardship and sadness. We all go through ups and downs in our lives. Sometimes God walks beside us, and other times He must carry us. One of the most inspiring lines from the poem is when God says “When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
In Deuteronomy 1:31 where Moses encourages his followers to continue the wilderness journey stating that “There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” This Bible verse shares much of the same sentiment as the poem. When we need help, God carries us like a father carries his child. After all, if God is unchanging, and He has told us He will never leave nor forsake us, we never have to be afraid. We are never alone. We are not strong ―God is. We can give this hope to others. What an encouragement and assurance that God is always with us to have in our life!
- Kyung Sook Kwon
_________________________
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.
Reverend Dave
____________________
I believe in the sun,
Even when it is not shining.
I believe in love,
Even when I do not feel it.
I believe in God,
Even when He is in silent.
This poem became one of my favorite poems now. During the pandemic I tried to read this poem several times every morning after quiet time with God and I memorized it to think about the true meaning of the words. With the outbreak of Corona virus I was so lonely and fearful in panic away from my family members, friends, and church members. Furthermore I was so depressed with that we could not have the worship at the sanctuary on Sundays. At that time this poem has been a guiding light and a hope for me.
All of us live in the time of unpredictable and difficult future, but one thing I could tell you the everlasting truth that those who believe and trust in God can live their daily living in hope. Not because of more bright and better surroundings are allowed to them, but because they have faith of God’s sovereign the world and leading their life for the purpose of God.
“But now, Lord, who do I look for? My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7) As like King David reflects his whole life and confesses that the origin of our hope in God, the master in our life. A faithful God whose character never changes. He is faithful now in our everyday circumstances of life as He was years ago to them. We can feel confidence in His presence and active involvement, even we can’t see it. And, knowing this, we can trust in Him whenever we are afraid in our life. “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is constantly and fully present with us. We are blessed to know that not only He is with us, but He also lives in us and works through us.
[God is good all the time, all the time God is good.] What a blessing to us to have Him as our Redeemer! With thanksgiving present our requests to God, do not be anxious anything but in everything by prayer and petition. I can tell humbly that personal relationship between me and God is a good foundation of practicing faith daily base through my journey of faith. I set the {Quiet Time} with Him for my priority every morning. I pray God for wisdom and strength to be capable to do daily what I have to do. “Ask and it will given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)
I am so grateful to God for His steadfast love and grace in my present life. I am very touched by His presence during the communion worship every month and I can’t stop tears running down my cheeks with heartfelt thanks during confession and pardon. I believe in God and I trust in Him with His promise ― “And don’t doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.”
I would like to share the poem― ‘Footprints in the Sand’ by Margaret Fishback Powers. You are never ever alone, especially during your most trying times. God is always with you. This poem speaks directly to our unique relationship with God. Our faith in God does not excuse us from experiencing hardship and sadness. We all go through ups and downs in our lives. Sometimes God walks beside us, and other times He must carry us. One of the most inspiring lines from the poem is when God says “When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
In Deuteronomy 1:31 where Moses encourages his followers to continue the wilderness journey stating that “There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” This Bible verse shares much of the same sentiment as the poem. When we need help, God carries us like a father carries his child. After all, if God is unchanging, and He has told us He will never leave nor forsake us, we never have to be afraid. We are never alone. We are not strong ―God is. We can give this hope to others. What an encouragement and assurance that God is always with us to have in our life!
- Kyung Sook Kwon
_________________________
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.
2 Comments
Beautifully written and so true. God’s plan is always better even tho I don’t always think so at the time. It gives me comfort to know he is ALWAYS with me. What a blessing!
Amen, Holly ... so true!!