Testimony of the Goodness of the Lord
Summary
Hoseah expresses gratitude for the opportunity to worship with the Richmond congregation and shares his testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness. He reflects on his upbringing in China, where his father, initially unsaved, became a Christian through the influence of evangelist Dr. John Song. Hoseah recounts how his father's conversion led to his mother's eventual acceptance of Christ, emphasizing the power of persistent love and patience in evangelism. He shares the challenges faced by his family during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, highlighting their reliance on God for provision and guidance. Hoseah discusses the importance of faith and obedience in the context of genealogies in the Bible, stressing the need for the next generation to inherit a legacy of faith. He urges the congregation to prepare the younger generation to follow God's purpose and to ensure that their hearts are aligned with God's will. Hoseah concludes by emphasizing the significance of building God's house and passing on the truth of God's purpose to future generations, encouraging prayer and commitment to God's calling.
Outline of Main Points
- Gratitude for worship and community
- Personal testimony of God's goodness
- Father's conversion through Dr. John Song
- Mother's eventual acceptance of Christ
- Challenges during Japanese occupation
- Importance of faith and obedience in genealogies
- Preparing the next generation for God's purpose
- Building God's house and passing on truth
- Encouragement for prayer and commitment
8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.
16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. 18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
