For us, in us, with us — God does great things

The Bible passage with which Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider served the brethren in Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia on 27 October is one of the most familiar psalms of all: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the South” (Psalm 126: 3-4).

Here the psalmist is recalling the joy of the Jews who had been carried off to Babylon when they finally returned to Israel. “We too have many reasons to say that God has done great things for us.”

“Done for us”

“God has done great things for us”: He has sent His Son to this earth. And Jesus Christ has given His life, overcome sin and death, and in turn has sent the Holy Spirit. God has made it possible for the gospel to be preached around the world to this day. He also provides us with help and protection in daily life.

“God has done great things in us: He has given us the rebirth out of water and the Spirit. In every divine service, He forgives our sins. And through the Holy Spirit, He leads each believer with love and patience upon the path that leads us to become more and more like Jesus.

“And He also wants to do great things with us: Jesus desires to celebrate the marriage of the Lamb with us in His kingdom, then return to the earth with us in order to bring salvation to mankind in the kingdom of peace.

“He has done great things”

“So there you can see what great things God has done—for us, in us, and with us,” emphasised the Chief Apostle, before explaining: “All these things are great because we know we could never have done them on our own. They are great because all of these things lie beyond our imagination. These things are great because we could never have deserved them.”

“And we are glad”

“We are so busy today, we have so many things to do,” warned the Church leader. “And because of this, there is a real risk that we might forget the great things that God has done for us. And as a result we are no longer glad. Perhaps we even begin to complain!” For this reason: “Let us remember the great things that God has done for us, still does for us, and will do for us. Let us be thankful!”

And our joy is not to be troubled by scornful questions such as: “Well, where is your God now?” People have been saying things like that throughout the ages. And such remarks are also heard in our day when something is lacking or needed in the fellowship of the faithful. “Just let them talk. Do not be offended. Do not lose your courage. Trust in God. Have peace in your heart. Remember the great things that God does, and has done, for you.”

“Bring back — like the streams”

“Let us share this wealth with others. We want all human beings to experience the same great things we have experienced—here on earth as in the beyond.”

“We are aware of the great things God has already done for us, but we are also aware that we have not yet been fully redeemed.” That is why our foremost plea to God is: “Send us Your beloved Son! Let us enter into Your kingdom!”

Just as the rains transform the drought of the southlands in Israel within a few minutes, so too, the return of Christ will change everything in an instant: “Suddenly, the bride of Christ will be revealed, and we will be able to see the glory of the church of Christ. That is the greatest miracle that God wishes to perform—with us, for us, and in our midst.”