February 24, 2024

“Now on the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from evening until morning it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire… Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey.” Numbers 9:15, 22.

This is truly an amazing story. As the Israelites were journeying through the desert to get to the promised land, they were guided by a cloud during the day. During the night time when the sun went down, it was present in the form of fire. The key was that when the cloud rested above the sanctuary, the people camped on that location, and when the cloud was removed it was time for the people to move on.

I am sure there are many spiritual lessons that we can gain from here, but let me point out two. First, the Lord guided them in their journey. This was a desert the people were traveling throughout. It was hot during the day and cold during the night. I don’t know how big the cloud was but I believe it would have provided enough shade for the people. At night, when the temperature went down, it would have provided heat in the cold night for the people. The people of God were not left alone. They were guided and also provided with shelter in their journey. The people had to depend on the Lord’s guidance to journey.

Secondly, it teaches that the people had to be prepared to depart anytime. The people didn’t know how long the cloud would cover the sanctuary. It could stay for a day, a month, or a year. But at any given time, when the cloud was taken up, they had to leave right away. It teaches us that we need to be prepared for Jesus’ second coming. Matthew 24:36 tells us that “No one knows the day or hour.” Therefore we must be ready for His coming, even today. The good news is that our Father is faithful in leading us and guiding us.

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February 17, 2024

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16.

During the colder season, many of us wear beanies. I am one of them. It’s better than wearing a cap since it keeps my head warmer. One time, I came back home and took off my beanie. I threw it on the couch instead of hanging it in the closet, thinking that I will wear it again real soon. So every time I am in the living room, I notice it’s there, too lazy to put it back in place.

Next early morning, as I am getting ready to head out, I looked for my beanie and I couldn’t find it. I looked all over but I could not locate it. Actually I couldn’t find it for the next couple days. I really like this beanie. I bought this about many years ago when I went to Okinawa, Japan to go SCUBA diving. I hated to think that I lost it after all these years.

On the third day, I am lying on the floor of the living room playing with the kids and then suddenly my beanie comes into my sight! It was hidden under the couch! I mean, I looked under before but for some reason I couldn’t find it then! And for some reason, at a new angle as I was lying on the floor I was able to spot my favorite beanie. Don’t you all have a similar experience?

Reading the Bible is like that. There is always something you will blessed with when you read. You may say, it’s so boring, or it’s hard to understand. Maybe you need a different angle. The blessing is there but you simply can’t spot it from where you are. The Bible was written for us so that we can understand. Even when you read the same passage over and over again, it comes to you in a different way of blessings. So keep searching and reading. There will be joy.

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February 10, 2024

“Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” Genesis 28:12.

At the gym there is this cardio exercise equipment called Jacobs Ladder. It’s an intense workout machine and a lot harder than a treadmill (in my subjective opinion, of course). It’s basically a ladder that is tilted in 40 degrees. The workout is simple. You put a strap around your waist that is connected by a wire to the body of the machine. Then you simply just start climbing the ladder. As you start climbing the ladder will move down in place (like a treadmill).

Like I said, it’s a really simple machine and it sounds really easy, but it’s an intense workout. If you climb the machine for three minutes you will sweat like rain falling and your heart will be beating super fast. It so hard and I can’t do it for more than 10 minutes currently but I plan to improve more and more. There is really no end and destination in this workout. You just keep working and working.

That wasn’t really the case for the actual Jacob’s Ladder that we find in the book of Genesis. Jacob was running away from his brother. He was desperate and he was tired. At night he went to sleep outdoors with a stone beneath his head. Jacob had a dream, a dream where a ladder was shown. It was connected the earth to heaven and angels were marching up and down. The ladder represents Jesus. Unlike the workout machine, you are not the one working hard to climb up. Jesus comes down to us. When we are seeking help, and when we are in desperate need of our Savior, Jesus will come down to us.

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