As I did my today’s meditation, I pondered upon how Jesus said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (MATTHEW 26:40b-41, NIV), I noted how Peter, James, and John fell into a heavy, suffocating sleep. Three times Jesus returned to them, and each time He found them asleep. His disappointment was especially directed at Peter – for Satan was about to sift them all like wheat, and Jesus was counting on Peter to stand firm, keep the faith, and strengthen the others (Luke 22:31–32, NIV).
In contrast, Jesus remains awake and vigilant through the night. He sweats as if drops of blood, wrestling deeply with the will of God (Luke 22:41–44, NIV). With loud cries and tears, He prays and the Father hears Him (Hebrews 5:7, NIV).
“In Why Revival Tarries”, Leonard Ravenhill gives a wake-up call saying, “Solemnly and slowly, with his index finger extended”, and Napoleon Bonaparte outlined a great stretch of country on a map of the world. And, he said, ‘There,’ he growled, ‘is a sleeping giant. Let him sleep! If he wakes, he will shake the world.’ That sleeping giant was China, as he highlighted this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.
Today, Bonaparte’s words from some 150 years ago seem strikingly relevant. One might imagine Lucifer surveying the Church in a similar way – aware of her immeasurable potential and wary of what could happen if she fully awakens: “Let the Church sleep – for if she rises, she will shake the world.” This leads us to ask: is the Church a sleeping giant today? And so, I pray for the Antioch of Asia to awaken – to discern the times and to rise against spiritual slumber.
Indeed, our flesh is weak and the world is alluring. We face temptation daily, and only God is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24, NIV). This compels me to remain anchored in prayer and in the Word –to guard my heart carefully, not allowing it to be weighed down by indulgence, distractions, or the anxieties of life, lest the day close in on me like a trap. Instead, I choose to stay watchful in prayer, just as the apostle Paul exhorts us: “being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2, NIV).
Indeed, “A pastor’s greatest personal leadership tool is a healthy soul” (PAUL CHAPPELL). Sadly, an overemphasis on skills and strategies has left many souls depleted. Barna research reveals that numerous pastors struggle to find time for their own soul care, a concern also highlighted in the 40 Days (2019) devotional.
I pray that pastors will first keep watch over themselves, so that they may faithfully shepherd their flock (Acts 20:28, NIV), and for God to also provide each of them with a trusted inner circle – or at least one confidant – with whom they can be honest, pray together, and share their deepest struggles and hidden burdens.
Hence, the apostle Paul also said, “watch and pray so that Satan might not outwit us” (2 CORINTHIANS 2:11, NIV). Indeed, regardless how sincere and willing we are, human nature soon crumbles in the face of evil and complies with it. And, God alone can give us the victory. Our part is to watch and pray.
Let’s be vigilant as harvest season is at wartime!
May we declare that “He’ who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him” (PSALM 126:6, NIV).
Profile Background:
Jeremy Koh is a graduate with a disability from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (formerly the Spastic Children Association, 1987–1997). He holds certifications in Microsoft Office Skills and completed the HR Administrator program (CHRA) through the Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of Partnership (HCS HR PowerBank, 7th Dec 2021–3rd June 2022). Over the years, Jeremy has taken on various roles, including Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant, Connector at ServeHope Pte Ltd, and a member of the GrowthBeans Team at Savior–Asia Consulting Pte Ltd. He also worked as a KeyGuard Specialist at (these)abilites Pte Ltd, overseeing all KeyGuard operations at World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch) for 10 months. Additionally, Jeremy served as an Executive Assistant at Vision Strategy Storytelling for three months (Aug–Oct 2017). He founded the Project Stories for LIFE initiative (currently suspended), which is affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, and has previously been involved with the Special Needs Cluster. As a disability advocate, Jeremy continues to actively represent the disabled community in public.
Prayer Response to this featured article:
Jesus, we pray for the seed sown will not be snatched away but will yield a bountiful crop (MATTHEW 13:18-23, NIV) that prayer-evangelism will continue unabated. We pray for prophetic insight to increase + for strategic intercession to intensify and for a spirit of urgency and desperation to see revival happening in the land and souls being won for the LORD today.
(Written by Jeremy Koh, 21st July 2019)
-
No comments:
Post a Comment