My dear readers,

Proverbs 11:27 (KJV) “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.”

Most of us are capable of receiving what we seek. What is important is what we seek and from whom we seek the things we desire. Once these are decided, the steps to receive them will follow. If we seek good grades as students, studying smart and getting help from friends and tuition teachers may be the next steps. If we seek promotion and better monetary prospects as adults, working smart in organisations that align with our skills and training will help us achieve our goals. These are earthly endeavours that all can do, regardless of our salvation status before God.

However, when it comes to spiritual matters, they will never be received without God’s help and direct intervention, no matter how hard we try. All spiritual things cannot be received or dealt with by the power or will of man. They are all dealt with and received by the power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead. Christians no longer wrestle against flesh and blood like they used to before salvation. All Christians will forever struggle against spiritual battles and powers and principalities in high places as God has revealed in Ephesians 6:12-13 (KJV) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

All Christians are spiritual people for eternity, from the day of their salvation when Jesus Christ baptised them with the Holy Spirit. From that moment onwards, the Holy Spirit will forever dwell within them. The biblical definition of a spiritual person is one who is indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:8-9 “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Christian can understand all things spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:11-13 “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

Therefore, when believers seek in this earthly life, they must realise the spiritual impact of their seeking. The powerful name of Jesus Christ is at stake in the spiritual realm. The name of Christ healed the sick, cast out demons and continues to save sinners from sin, death and hell today. God’s guarantee is that whatever they seek, they will receive. How a Christian lives reflects how Christ would live. Therefore, what the Christian seeks must be what Christ would also seek.

• Seek good? – “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour” is literally translated as “the one who rises early in the morning to search painstakingly for good will surely receive his desire.” The good in all believers’ hearts is for the glory of God and every believer’s spiritual well-being. They will seek only that which is according to the Holy Scriptures. They know that whenever they obey the Bible, all things are guaranteed by God to be good. The “good” defined by the Bible is not according to sinful man’s definition. Sinful man’s definition is carnal, such as seeking health to enjoy carnality and seeking more wealth to enjoy more carnality. When either wealth or health is missing, it becomes bad. However, for believers, all that they seek is spiritual in nature. Their definition of good is that which is good for their souls, even when they lose their wealth and health in achieving it. For Christ’s sake, they are prepared to give up everything on this earth, including their loved ones and all the possessions they might have spent their whole life accumulating. Jesus taught this “unconditional surrender of everything” doctrine at salvation, for salvation to be genuine, in Mark 8:34-38 “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Since the good that believers seek with all their hearts is spiritual in nature, God will surely ensure they receive it. When they find all these spiritual blessings fulfilled in their lives, they will grow in the grace and knowledge of God. Their life experiences will be in accordance with God’s Word, which will definitely glorify Him. Believers become more mature in their faith and trust in God, for they constantly see God's hand in their lives, helping them to overcome all obstacles. The presence of God in Christ in their lives is experientially real. Their lives become a blessing to all who come into contact with them because they seek the same spiritual blessing for others as well. They are kind and considerate. They are thoughtful to ensure they do not hurt others. Whenever they do, they are quick to apologise. They would not do anything for personal gain or glory that would cause others to stumble. They know that Christ’s name and His honour are on the line.

       God will surely help them find the good they seek diligently.

• Seek mischief? – On the other hand, “he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.” The word “mischief” means “evil”. Evil will find those who seek evil. In the spiritual realm, all who try to hurt God’s children or work will receive their just punishment. There is no escaping God’s all-powerful purpose in the lives of His beloved children and His holy will and work. How can an ant fight against a man who is like a giant to the ant? Haman, a very powerful servant of the Persian king, tried to kill Mordecai because the latter refused to bow down and worship him. He was not content with everyone else's bowing and worship. He had to have Mordecai’s worship. He tried to get rid of Mordecai by a decree that would destroy all the Jews, including Mordecai. He constructed a gallows to hang Mordecai, for Haman could not wait for the day when all Jews in the massive Persian empire were to be killed.

He failed to realise that what he did was to try and thwart God's salvific plan to save the world. If Haman’s plan had succeeded, he would have successfully severed the messianic line. Instead, God turned the tables against Haman, and he was the one who was hanged on the gallows. Esther 7:9-10 “And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.”

Haman sought evil and received evil in the end. Of course, many on earth are like Haman but do not end up like Haman, who might have escaped justice on earth. They might foolishly think that they have gotten away with hurting God's work and God's children. However, God in His time will judge and condemn them to hell upon their deaths. There is no escape from the almighty God, except through Jesus Christ. If they repent of their sins in Christ, including the sins of persecuting and killing Christians, and defaming God and sinning against the Holy Spirit, God will forgive them. But if they do not, all evil men, women and children must know that when they seek evil, evil will find them.

All of us will receive what we seek. What do you seek after?

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service

                                                                                      Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew, Pastor