His Words

Scriptures: “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Back in the days when I first came to this country, it was a time when technology was just taking off. LAN was appearing on the horizon and considered a breakthrough; cellular communication was first deployed to automobiles and was viewed as an option for a luxury edition car.

It was then that I came to this nation and found myself a stranger in a foreign land. I still remember, when I first came, I had some visa issue. The college I applied for gave me an admission form that was out of date. As a result, the immigration officer only gave me 30 days to stay and demanded that I submit an admission form that conformed to the latest requirements so my stay here could be extended to cover the required duration for my study here.

Being a new kid on the block who knew nothing about the system or people here, it was like a blow to my dream. Yet, who could I talk to? There was no internet with email capability we have today. It took a week to write to my family in Taiwan about any problems and anxieties I had and another week for them to write back to help or console.

To make things worse, I was a new Christian then. I didn’t know much about God, nor His word. But, even so, God did not leave me alone. He sent His comfort and encouragements through a book called “Streams in The Desert” devotional, compiled by Mrs. Cowman. When I had no one to turn to, I opened this book and, time and again, God spoke and comforted me through the words on those pages.

I started to learn to pray and found it more than helpful for those prayers again and again lifted burdens and worries away from my heart. I learned to journal thoughts the came to me when I read His words for, whenever I read His words, I found my heart was live again, recharged and uplifted. I realized that the God in the Bible is true and living. More than that, He was with me in all those ups and downs.

As time went by, I had come to know a lot more about this nation and the systems and customs here. This is no longer a strange land to me and, of course, I am not new any more, either. But, though I have been settling down, I have also found myself more dependent upon Him. I guess, once you’ve tasted the heavenly flavor, there’s simply no substitute!

It was a tough and challenging time. It seemed like I was all alone. It seemed like everything was foreign to me. It seemed like my future was dim and unreachable. But, through it all, He was with me and saw to it that I come through with a deeper understanding of His words and, most important of all, a personal walk with Him that I would treasure forever!

God is true! God is alive! But, that’s just the beginning. The most important thing is He wants to be in our lives and make a difference there! Praise the Lord!

Prayer Requests:
Foreign students studying here alone

Prayer:
Our loving Father, thank You for being mindful of Your children. Thank You for always being there for us when we are alone, frightened, lost, and hurt. Thank You for Your comfort and guidance through Your words in the Bible. Help us treasure our relationship with You! Help us learn to look up to You for guidance and comfort. Most importantly, help us to submit ourselves to You as Your vessels of grace and comfort for all, especially those who find themselves strangers in a strange land. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!