Proverbs 16:20b

Proverbs 16:20 "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."

Yes, God tells us it is a good that one can handle a matter wisely but God had more to say. God says you will be happy when you trust in the Lord. There is a matter God knows we cannot handle unless we trust in the Lord. He knows the matter of happiness is what people are really longing for in their hearts. Although we can find satisfaction and recognition in wealth, achievements and possessions, they do not produce true happiness that only the Lord can give to them that trust in Him. All things we seek and secure on earth are short-lived compared to the true happiness God wants to give us. God wants us to find true happiness in Him.

The question is what does it must to trust in the Lord? It simply means to depend/rely on Jesus. Why do we need to do that? It is because God wants you to be eternally happy deep down on the inside. God knows nothing in this world can fill the emptiness but Jesus Christ His Son. That unexplainable emptiness and darkness we have at heart is because God says all of us have sinned (lied, cheated, stolen, disobeyed parents, etc) and have been separated from God. God also knows that this unexplainable emptiness will ultimately lead to utter darkness in hell.

At this point you might be sad or mad but read on, you can be eternally glad. God's part is done and now you have to do your part by trusting Jesus alone. How? Simply by depending totally on Jesus. Who is Jesus? He is the son of God who loved you so much that He died for your sins. Why depend on Jesus you? Because Jesus is the only qualified one who can save us. Jesus is qualified because God sent Him to be the one to get the job done. Jesus is qualified because He never sinned. Jesus is qualified because only He paid the full price on the Cross for all our sins.  Jesus is qualified because only His blood can make your sinful heart as white as snow. Jesus is qualified because He rose again and is alive today ready to save death-deserving sinners (all of us) from sin and hell.

True happiness can be found in Jesus because He can forgive you, wash away all your sins and give you eternal life. However, true happiness is promised only to them that respond correctly. This decision is not automatic. It is personally between you and God. You only have 2 options. Trust and be eternally glad or doubt and be eternally sad. I advise not to wait because you never know when it will be too late. I trust you will make the right choice today because God wants you to.

Today if you admit you are a sinner, admit you deserve hell because of your sins, admit Jesus died for you and rose again, and depend fully on Jesus to save you from the emptiness of sin and hell, He will do it because God cannot and will never ever go back on His promises. Only God knows if you are serious about it. If you are really serious about being honest before God about your sin problem and future, ask Him right now to forgive you and tell Him you are willing to depend fully in Him today. If you will do that, you no longer have to worry about your future because Jesus will surely be serious to keep His promise with you as well. Turn from self-effort to trust in the finished work of Jesus today. Jesus said, It is finished! He has done His part, now your part is to trust. Surely we can trust the one who died for us! Jesus is the only one that has truthfully promised you true happiness not only this side of heaven but also in heaven one day when you leave this earth.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son(Jesus), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Proverbs 16:20a

Proverbs 16:20 "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."

During my short time in the Air Force, I learned a term call 'Situational Awareness' aka SA. One who has good SA has a high chance of becoming a good pilot. Why? It is because he/she is able to response quickly and wisely to situations that occur in the air. One recent example occurred last week at the Hudson River in New York. A goose flew into the engine of an aircraft as it was preparing to land, breaking down the engine and thus preventing the aircraft from landing as planned. Thankfully the pilot handled the unexpected situation wisely- very wisely. The pilot managed to land (skillfully) the aircraft on the Hudson River, saving the lives of the passengers on board. The pilot did an awesome job. He handled the situation wisely and found much good. I'm sure the pilot will never forget that. I am sure his family will be very proud of him!

All of us have met people who are really sharp in tasks they are given to do. Some can handle things so well that it is really very impressive but some of us just can't seem to handle a situation wisely. At school, at home or at work, we find people who can handle situations very well. Maybe you are someone like that. Usually you don't have to boast about your ability to handle tasks well because it will be evident to those around you. It is an asset to have that ability because it will do much good to you and others. All of us face so many different matters every day. The question is "are we handling them wisely?" First of all, may we as Christians ask the all-wise God to teach us how to handle matters wisely! He promised to give wisdom freely every time we ask in faith (James 1).

Will God listen to you?

Have you ever tried talking to someone who is not paying attention to you? It is really hard. Especially when that person cannot really multi task. I know of many people (including myself) who are just like that. Sometimes we have to repeat ourselves or even shout in order to get that person's attention. Though it's like that with humans, it's not so with God. Thank God He is powerful and present everywhere that He hears the sincere call of His creation. He hears even the softest cry directed to Him. I wonder how God can hear multiple calls at the same time but He really does! Even if the whole world of 6.7 billion call upon Him at the same time, God is more than able to hear and meet every need. How comforting to know that! 

God will listen to us because He knows that all human beings (no matter how good we are) are fallen, limited and inconsistent.  He knows earthly things are temporal and cannot satisfy us completely. He knows we get disappointed in friendship, family and finances. God knows we need Him above everything else. God will listen when no one else does. He will listen and keep it confidential. He will listen and do all He can to help. Isn't that wonderful? Certainly! Since God is so willing to listen to you, will you listen to Him?

God says that there is one thing that is hindering our calls to Him. That thing is called sin (breaking of God's law). Lying, cheating, stealing, dishonoring parents, adultery, and covetousness are simple examples. If we honestly look at our lives, it will not be long till we find out that we are all guilty before a Holy God.  We recognize that the lifeline to God is broken when we realize the sins we do are actually against a Holy God who abhors sin and cannot overlook it. Because of past, present and future sins in our lives, the line to God is broken. Many people take sin lightly these days but God does not! Sin was such a big deal that it cost death! 

That is the very reason why God put the life of His sinless Son, Jesus on the line for us. The question now is: "Did Jesus get the job done?" Absolutely! Jesus took all of our sins on Himself, died for us on the Cross, rose again the third day and now lives with God in heaven. We can be assured God hears us because of what Jesus did for us. What we all have broken because of sin, God has completely restored because of Jesus. 

However, restoration to God is not automatic because God has given us a free will to choose Him or sin. Although many choose rejection and ignorance, we do not have to follow because it will bring eternal separation from God in hell. If you choose to delay and procrastinate, time will soon decide for you. Thank God we can make the right choice. We can call upon God on the basis of what Jesus did for us.

Regardless of how you feel, how bad you have been or how hurt you have been in the past, God will surely listen to your sincere call for help from sin and hell. Hear what God says, "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Well when I am in trouble, the first person I will call is my mum or dad. Why? Because I know and believe that they love me and will do all they can to help me out. What more for God? He sacrificed His only Son because He loved us so much! If you call on God to clean (forgive), change and control your life by owning your sins and depending fully on Jesus for real life and liberty, God will not only listen but answer your honest call immediately! Call on God's mercy today before it's too late. The lifeline is on because of Jesus. God will listen to you and allow you into a living relationship with Himself because of Jesus.

Rom 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Psalm 145:18 "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon them in truth."