131. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, we are called to patient endurance and faithfulness to the Lord Jesus.

23 March 2021

Endurance and faithfulness of God's people.

Revelation 13

9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

10 “If anyone is to go into captivity,

    into captivity they will go.

If anyone is to be killed with the sword,

    with the sword they will be killed.”

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.

The above verses are very grim.

Preparing for the blog, I was led to these passages.

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

3 Know that the Lord is God.

    It is he who made us, and we are his;

    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

My wife Marlou and I went out to be under the sun this morning. We did not go out the past 3 days, reaction to the alarming covid situation.

Yesterday we had teleconsultation with our cardiologist, and he advised us to expose ourselves under the sun before 9AM, and do exercise for the body to release endorphins, chemicals that relieve stress and pain.

I developed anxiety when I contracted Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in 2008 due to severe allergy to antibiotics prescribed for UTI resulting from my prostate biopsy, which was negative.

I have taken anti-anxiety medication after that, I would pass out at times to be awakened feeling recharged. There was a time I was able to do away with the medication for a year.

Then it was Marlou who developed anxiety because of hypertension and menopause. By then, we were already empty nesters, our 3 children have all married and lived separately. So when Marlou takes sleep to rest due to anxiety, I myself would also induce sleep with the anxiety medication so that I will be recharged attending to her in case of another episode of anxiety which at times manifested in hyperventilation.

Our situation seems kind of helpless. But no, the medication is sustaining us. One time before the pandemic, Marlou was at the drug store to buy the medication, and by chance chatted with a customer who shared she has been taking such medication for 35 years; yes 35 years.

My physical endurance has been tested before, severe famine and affliction causing psychosomatic depression during the period 2000 - 2005, then I would later find myself recovering to take a job abroad, where during off hours I would be on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes and going out for walking and jogging for at least an hour. I was amazed how my spirit lifted up from those desperate moments years earlier when I was at my wit's end.

I have to say, it is all by God's grace.

My first blog in 24 August 2020 referred to Luke 7:42-43.

“Now which of them will love him more?” 

“I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

I have written blogs for all four books of the gospel, and now midway the Book of Revelation, then within this March I expect to be done with the whole New Testament.

I would say I did not plan what I am doing. Had there not been the quarantine situation, probably I won't be able to write blogs. I started making reflections in 2006, then in 2017 we at church were made to have reflection by particular book by verses in chronological order; hence nowadays I would revisit my 2017 reflection.

I will continue to write blogs as I have started, going through the Old Testament as long as the Holy Spirit gives the inspiration. This, all by God's grace.

The Lord is good and His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues to all generations.

By God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit in us, His people, the sheep of His pasture, ours will be the endurance and faithfulness in Jesus. Amen.

Sharing my prayer, part of my reflection 5 November 2017.

"Lord, ".... another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth - to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." (Revelation 14:6, 7). "I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart." "Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me" (Psalm 40:8, 11). This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen."

"Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, we are called to patient endurance and faithfulness to the Lord Jesus.", this someday my children's children will utter.

May you be blessed with God's Word. Amen.

Maraming salamat.