My Precious Christmas Present

I will never forget early December 2008 when I was informed that I have been laid off. I was very angry, upset and sad. It was a few weeks before Christmas when we were preparing our home and ourselves for Christmas.Due to my condition, I had no desire to buy Christmas gift or decorating Christmas tree. I felt so hopeless and afraid because all gossips about how bad 2009 will be. I tried hard to keep my job back but God asked me to let it go every time I pray. My flesh cannot accept but the God instruction keep telling me to let it go.

A few months before December I started reading bible constantly and in my difficult time in December 2008, I remember again the Bible story that I have read about how Daniel was saved by God from the lions. Let see who Daniel is; he was a prisoner from Judah and he became a servant for king Nebuchadnezzar; from king's servant he became a royal court and from royal court he became the third of royal rulers during Darius the king. Daniel was in a high career position in the kingdom when he was betrayed by other royal rulers and nobles. He did nothing wrong to his God and to the king. In fact, God did not let him out from the lion den but HE saved him on the time. God did not tell Daniel that He would close lions' mouth before he was thrown to lions den. God wants Daniel to trust on Him even He did not tell Daniel His plan. Daniel faith and obedience have made him survived from the lions.

From Daniel's story we learned about;

Daniel always asks God for all his problems and waits for God answer and instruction

Daniel asked his closed friends to pray for him

Daniel did not do any favor for rewards; he only serves God and obey God's instruction. The reward is the impact of his action.

Daniel was in the highest of his career when he was betrayed and was requested to pray to Darius king but Daniel chose to only believe and pray to God. The key that save Daniel is firstly he did not do any wrong to God and secondly he did not do any wrong to the king.

Daniel did not fight back to clean his name or keep his position but leave all his problem in God's hand.

What is the relation between my problems with Daniel? The lesson I learned from Daniel is his faith and obedience. It has been inspired and pushed me to listen and follow God's voice. We do not know God's plan for us but we should learn to trust our God like Daniel.

After stressful days I decided to follow God's voice. I was fully laid on God's shoulder. I stop my effort to keep my job back and I left the company. Furthermore with pray from all my closed friends, I tried to find a new job by using my business networking. I did not have any pride anymore with my career but I walked together with God. Two days before Christmas I got a new job. What a amazing God we have!!! I thank God and praised for his blessing. It is a very precious Christmas present that I ever have in my life. It is not an instant impact but through the process of reading, hearing and obedience.

When we read the Bible we let ourselves closer and closer to God. Our inner heart will be more sensitive to hear God voice. When we hear God voice we will face 2 decision; obey or not. If we do not obey mean that we will solve our problems by our own but when we obey we let God comes to our life and make a big miracle for us. When we read Bible we learn the obedience and faith form all God's people. Their faith and obedience will influence decision in our life. Obedience will give a solution to our life problems.

What we have to do after God answer? We can learn from Daniel's attitude; he thanks and praises God. I copy Daniel's thank and praise below;

"May God be praised for ever and ever!

He is wise and powerful.

He changes times and seasons.

He sets up kings.

He removes them from power.

The wisdom of those who are wise comes from him.

He gives knowledge to those who have understanding.

He explains deep and hidden things.

He knows what happens in the darkest places.

And where he is, everything is light.

God of my people, I thank and praise you.

You have given me wisdom and power.

You have made known to me what we asked you for.

You have shown us the king's dream."

Let start reading Bible and wait for a miracles come in your life. Make 2009 as your prosperous year by walking with God.