A Decade Of Challenge, A Decade of Courage

Sunrise at Mount Sinai, Egypt

'Be strong and take Courage.' Joshua 1:6

We have just entered the year 2022. Looking back at the past two years, we have had a load of bad news, the pandemic, climate change, regime changes and oppression of people. The decade of 2020 will most likely be remembered as the decade of challenges. Facing the pandemic and the speed of coronavirus mutations, we should brace ourselves for the challenges ahead

• Coronavirus. The world fights for world health in an unprecedented manner. Every country in the world faced their up and down battles against this virus. Just as the vaccination and immunity rates improve and the spread attenuated, the virus changes character and a new variant appears. The health care systems and the health workers of every country work fearlessly and tirelessly. Perhaps, the virus, to survive in nature will eventually mutate into a less virulent albeit more contagious to become  commensal in the environment and people. Then, our healthcare systems will be able to manage the disease and prevail. 

• Commerce. World trade took a hit as countries, even states within a large country shut down their borders in attempts to minimise the spread of the disease. Many countries dipped into their reserves or incurred debts. The rich lose some of their wealth but the poor suffered the most. Eventually new ways of commerce such as online shopping will be the way for buying and selling in the future. The world will eventually come up with new or updated trade to find new ways for doing business.

• Communication. World travel became almost non-existent and is taking quite a long while to recover. Passenger traffic now requires vaccination lanes. Although some world tourists have taken few small steps to go overseas, the tourism industry is largely curtailed. Communications have gone on a virtual mode and soon 3-D virtual reality technology will allow us to 'travel the world' while remaining at home.

• Community. Social restrictions and distancing have curtailed face to face communications and group camaraderie. Perhaps the social mores of building community will take on a different mode. International community by ways of Zoom, WhatsApp, Telegram and other technological platform become possible with multinational chatgroups. But the physical endearments such as hugs & kisses may be lost.

In his New Year Message, the Prime Minister of Singapore said that the Covid-19 pandemic has been a crucible of fire for this generation of Singaporeans.  The country has had to take drastic measures to protect lives and livelihood. (Straits Times 1 Jan 2022). This is not unique to Singapore, every country in the world faced waves after waves of the Corona virus in its myriad forms and variants. 

It will be a brave new world to face for 2022 and beyond. One can imagine the same trepidation the Israelites faced as they left Goshen in Egypt, to step onto the soil of the Sinai Desert. There were many uncertainties in the harsh and arid desert, drought, hunger, pestilences and unfriendly tribes. As they began the journey, Moses and the Israelites sang,  

'The Lord is my strength and my defence; He has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise Him, my father's God and I will exalt Him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name."  Exodus 15:2-3 

Uncertainties for the decade of 2020 cause fear, a natural response. Similarly after a trying 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites were poised for the conquest of Canaan. They had heard of the Canaanite walled cities and the strength of their armies. On top of that there was a leadership change, Moses died and the baton passed on to Joshua. Confronted with these fears, they must remain courageous. There were battles to be fought. What fueled their courage? Faith in the promises of God. 

'You will not fear the terror by night, nor the arrow by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.' Psalms 91:5-6

Understandably we all feel nervous as we anticipate the rest of the 2020 decade. The same fear gripped Joshua when he took over command from Moses as he stood poised to cross over the Jordan river. The Lord was mindful of Joshua's fears, in the opening chapter of the Book of Joshua, God reassured him four times, 'Be Strong and Courageous.'  

'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' Joshua 1:9

Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong also rallied Singaporeans in his New Year message. (Straits Times 1 Jan 2022). He said, "We can confidently say that we have measured up as one people. Looking ahead, confronted with longer term challenges, we must maintain the same unity of purpose, fortitude of spirit and willingness to accept difficult measures in order to overcome them decisively and overcome them together."

That is the rallying cry of an able secular leader. God's people standing at the edge of the Jordan river also needed a stirring speech to secure their nationhood and future. But there is a difference in the message of Joshua, a spiritual leader; Joshua added the certainty of the presence of God. The assurance of God's presence will allow us to face the uncertain decade.

'Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.' Psalms 91:1-4

Another year is dawning and we brace ourselves for what will come; always knowing that the presence of the Lord is with us.

1. Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
   In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
   Another year of progress, another year of praise,
   Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
2. Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
   Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
   Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
   Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
3. Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
   Another year of training for holier work above;
   Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
   On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

Happy New Year!

Lionel