"...You Shall See Greater Things Than These" (John 1:50)

Since Christmas 2016 right into the new year of 2017, there were nine trying moments that happened one after another. It included at least two accounts of false accusations against me, spousal disagreement, family disputes, children falling sick (on the same day and lasted five days), misunderstanding, receiving complaints from school teachers about the kids (on two consecutive days), etc,

I must admit, I could hardly have smiles on my face during this period. My heart was weighed down by many discouragements and heartaches, as some of those closest to me were the ones that brought me pain. Besides that, I was confronted with my own weaknesses, how I've failed in my responses, and struggled much with guilt and forgiving myself.

Nonetheless, it is in seasons like these, God seems evidently closer. Devotional passages during my Quiet Times became relevant to my circumstances and it brought me comfort and hope as I learnt to apply the lessons for the day.

The greatest encouragement came from the Bible verses in Zephaniah 3:14-17,

Sing, O daughter of Zion, 
shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment
and will disperse the armies of your enemy.
And the Lord himself, the King of Israel,
will live among you!
At last your troubles will be over, 
and you will never again fear disaster.
On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be,
“Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid!
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.[b]
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

In addition, God spoke out one phrase several times during this season - "you will see great and unsearchable things". I must admit, I had thought it was my own thoughts initially.  Perhaps, I was trying to self-motivate. But those words kept coming to my ears every time my thoughts were on what I was going through. "You will see great and unsearchable things".

It came to a point, I finally prayed a silent prayer last week --- "Lord, if theses words really come from You, please reveal to me the same words through a verse in the Bible".

That was last week. Guess what??

I went to Bible Study Fellowship on Monday morning. At the lecture, the Teaching Leader went through John 1:19-51. Until she came to verse 50, the words jumped right at me, and I gasped in amazement. The very words I was asking God to show me appeared in John 1:50 -- "...you will see greater things than these." WOW!....... I almost broke down in tears right in that lecture hall.

God, my God, truly amazes me with His answers!

I never thought God would really answer that prayer, actually. Not that I didn't believe He could. But I never expected God would answer an insignificant request such as this.

I am still in amazement at God's working.  I can only surrender to His will right now.  I know He surely has a plan for me, a plan to prosper me, and not to harm me, a plan to give me hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). I can't see the full picture yet, but I know He is going to do a work in me.  Many may beg to differ, some may despise my abilities, some may feel I am not going to be good enough for the work.  I know I need to learn to go beyond those judgments and expectations, and simply rest and trust in God's providence and leading. It will be trying, but God will fight the battle ahead for me, I need only to trust in His Sovereign will and plan.

Thank you, Lord Jesus. And come, Lord Jesus.