Many of our friends commented on our courage and sacrifice when we chose to leave the comforts of middle class Canadian life and move to Ho Chi Minh City. I will admit that living with severe language limitations is not what I would naturally choose - and learning a new language at this stage is ----; a variety of adjectives/adverbs could be used. Easy and pleasurable would not be among them. Of course not being able to do anything "on automatic" is wearying and can lead to frustration and mistakes that we would not make at home.
But God promises to reward those who live in obedience to Him. And frankly there are some wonderful things we enjoy because we are serving God here. For example:
I was walking around the city today in short sleeves doing several errands. Had we not come to Vietnam we would be suffering right now through minus 25 temperatures with snow as are all our Calgary friends. The weather we have enjoyed these past three months is a great gift.
Today since we were running errands, Jan and I stopped downtown for lunch at a Pho restaurant. Our total bill came to $9 - about half of what I would have paid at the Vietnamese restaurant we frequented in Calgary. And last night I cut up a fresh pineapple that cost 65 cents.
Today I was reminded that "you cannot out give God" as I read in I Samuel. David is established in Jerusalem as King. He has a palace built as His new home. He loves God and realizes that there is "no home" for the Ark which symbolizes the Presence of God. So he prepares to give God a great gift. He will build a palace, a home, a temple for God. He was trying to give generously to God.
But God says "No thank you. I don't want you to build a temple for me." However let me tell you what I will do for you. In contrast to the house you wanted to build for me, I will "establish a house for you." God through Nathan the prophet goes on to tell David that God will give him a son who will build the temple. Then God promises that David's descendants and his throne will last forever!
God in effect says to his faithful servant: "You wanted to give to me. I am going to give you the ultimate gift. The Messiah, the King who reigns forever will be one of your descendants. You wanted to build me a house that would eventually be destroyed. Your descendant, your house will last forever"
You cannot out give God. In this life, or in the future life; and often in both, God gives generously to those who serve Him faithfully. Hear the testimony of millions of believers who have given up so much more than we; God's promise is true. "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." II Corinthians 9:6
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