When was the
first time you believed in Jesus?
It could be the
moment when you received a passing grade or a piece of great news; or perhaps
when your prayers were answered. Then you believe in God. But isn't it hard to
believe in God when faced with troubles and affliction? In reaction to numerous
wars in the past, some people cannot help but ask: Where was God when the Jews
were gassed? Or personally, we may ask: Where is God when it hurts? The Psalms
may respond to us: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who
are crushed in spirit” (Ps 34:18). We may be in a painful situation and we have
grown so numb due to the pain and could not feel anything any longer, even
God's presence. Truth be told, in as much as He is present in the most joyous
moments of our life, God is very much present in our lowest, for God will
neither forget nor abandon us.
Due to the
seeming failure to secure the prisoners, the jailer in the reading wanted to
kill himself. He asked for a light, probably to see the prisoners or perhaps he
was begging to be enlightened. And so, he asked the apostle: "Sirs, what
must I do to be saved?" As the darkness of that night passed,
characterized by fear and trembling, when God shook that jailer and his entire
household to their very core, they saw the light. They believed in Jesus. They
were saved. Moments of faith and belief often come not as a well-wrapped gift.
God is often found in places and situation unexpected. Even in his seeming
failures, the jailer found and received eternal salvation. Truly, through the
Lord's right hand, Jesus Christ, we are saved, even in our most appalling
situation. He sends to us the Spirit of Truth who will guide us to all truth
(Jn 16:7, 13).
Grief and fear
have filled the hearts of the apostles, as Jesus was about to leave them. Jesus
consoles their grieving hearts through the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Holy
Spirit shall reveal the truths about this world in regard to sin and
righteousness and condemnation, and especially the truths about God in relation
to man and his salvation. Even in their sorrow, Jesus gave them solace through
the promise of the Advocate. That gave the apostles reason to continue
believing and holding on to their faith in Jesus.
In the face of
adversities in the present, do you still believe in God?
Of course, we
believe as we have hundreds of reasons to do so;
and we have One
God to depend on.
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