Contributed by Wendy ML Tan • Apr 9, 2024

“The greatest thing in all my life is knowing you (2x), I want to know you more (2x), The greatest thing in my life is knowing you.

The greatest thing in all my life is loving you (2x), I want to love you more (2x), The greatest thing in my life is loving you.

The greatest thing in all my life is serving you (2x), I want to serve you more (2x), The greatest thing in my life is serving you.”

When I heard the part about how Eric Reed, the late composer, had related the story of Jesus singing this song to him, I felt very touched. These lyrics encapsulated the width and depth of God’s love in my life.

God has His ways of reaching out to every single one of us. Just last week, I received a prophetic word through my ex-principal’s wife. I have hardly shared what I have been experiencing lately when she said, “Go.” She meant that I should just take a leap of faith and go forward with what I gotta do or should do. As she prayed, the memory of 1st Jan 2024 came back to me.

For the past few years, I would pray that God would give me a prophecy of the year to come. I would see ‘paintings’ in the sky, be it during sunrise or sunset. So, on New Year’s Eve, I tried to ajak my friends to either hike a hill or take a drive down to the nearby beach with me. Neither came to fruition. Instead I spent a few hours in the morning of New Year’s Day at a picnic with half my CG and stayed at home the rest of the time. I felt the day was empty and let out a huge sigh.

Lo and behold, as I closed the front door after taking out the trash in the evening, I heard some noise coming from the outside. Curious, I stepped out onto the porch area to check. Nothing but silence greeted me. Then, in the stillness of that night, I lifted my eyes to the sky and decided that since I was outside the house anyway, I would just lean on the back of my car and pray for whatever or whoever that comes to mind. That was when the clouds began to move. My gaze caught sight of the bright moon as it shone through the clouds, and I heard God whisper, “Wherever you are, whenever you need me. I am here. You know that I am here.”

I lingered on and then saw another formation among the clouds. This time, God spoke more clearly, “Be strong and courageous. I will be watching over your life.”  There was a sense of despondency then, that this year would be more challenging than previous years, but because it was His voice that spoke directly to me, I know for sure that He will watch over me.

Relatively, the things that I have to go through in recent weeks are not as critical as those who have deeper struggles. But even in these little things, God reminds me over and over again, “Be strong and courageous.” 

I realise that it is not that I am headed towards my “Land of Promise”, it is that I am already walking in it, but just as Joshua had to face dozens of enemies, armies of large and small numbers, so also I know that I may encounter circumstances that can be more or less demanding.

I am nonetheless comforted and assured that nothing is too small nor too big, too easy nor too hard for God. He is not bounded by limitations. He is sovereign and in control of all things. God is good, all the time. And He bids me to stay on course – to walk in the purposes that He has set out for me, to remain in His presence and to stand firm in His promises.