“Who does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?” — Job 12:9

Several years ago, there was found in an African mine the most magnificent diamond in the world’s history. It was presented to the King of England to blaze in his crown of state.

The King sent it to Amsterdam to be cut. It was placed in the hands of an expert lapidary. And what do you suppose he did with it?

He took the gem of priceless value and cut a notch in it. Then he struck it a hard blow with his instrument—and lo! the superb jewel lay in his hand, cleft in two.

What recklessness! What wastefulness! What criminal carelessness!

Not so.

For days and weeks, that blow had been studied and planned. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, its defects, its lines of cleavage had all been examined with the utmost care. The man entrusted with it was one of the most skillful lapidaries in the world.

Do you say that blow was a mistake?

Nay. It was the climax of the lapidary’s skill. When he struck that blow, he did the one thing that would bring that gem to its most perfect shapeliness, radiance, and jeweled splendor.

That blow, which seemed to ruin the precious stone, was in fact its perfect redemption. For from those two halves were wrought the two magnificent gems which the skilled eye of the lapidary had seen hidden in the rough, uncut stone from the moment it came from the mine.

So sometimes, God lets a stinging blow fall upon your life.

The blood spurts. The nerves wince. The soul cries out in agony. The blow seems to you an appalling mistake.

But it is not.

For you are the most priceless jewel in the world to God. And He is the most skillful lapidary in the universe.

Someday, you are to blaze in the diadem of the King. As you lie in His hand now, He knows exactly how to deal with you. Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul unless the love of God allows it—and works out from its depths blessings and spiritual enrichment unseen and unimagined by you.

—J.H.McC.

In one of George MacDonald’s books occurs this fragment of conversation:

“I wonder why God made me,” said Mrs. Faber bitterly.
“I’m sure I don’t know what was the use of making me!”

“Perhaps not much yet,” said Dorothy,
“but then He hasn’t done with you yet. He is making you now, and you are quarreling with the process.”

If people would but believe that they are in the process of creation, and consent to be made—letting the Maker handle them as the potter handles the clay, yielding themselves in submissive, hopeful trust to the turning of His wheel—they would, in time, learn to welcome every pressure of that hand, even when it brings pain.

Sometimes, they would not only believe, but recognize the Divine purpose: the bringing of a son unto glory.

Closing Reflection

Not a single shaft can hit
Till the God of love sees fit.

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Jiaming was evangelized at the beginning of his graduate studies and is one of the first CM members established by YD Nagoya. He completed his studies in Japan on March 25. Before returning to his home country, he participated in the Easter Retreat held at Amagi Center, where he received baptism and officially entered a new stage in his faith.

During his baptism, Jiaming shared his testimony:

“My first encounter with Christianity was in high school. My geography teacher was a Christian, and he was the one who gave me my first Bible. At that time, I read it out of curiosity for a while, but later stopped due to academic pressure.

Later, I came to Japan to pursue my master’s degree. One day, on my way to the laboratory, I was evangelized. From that time on, I began studying the Bible twice a week and attending Sunday worship regularly. Through this continued learning, I gradually gained a deeper understanding of Christianity.

Before systematically studying the Bible, I only knew about original sin and that Jesus Christ was crucified, but I did not understand the meaning behind these truths. However, over the past two years of Bible study and worship, I have come to realize that Jesus was crucified out of love for us, to redeem our sins. This has led me to a deeper understanding of Christ’s love.

During my time studying in Japan, I sometimes felt lonely and helpless. But whenever I remembered that the Lord Jesus loves us and that the Holy Spirit is always with us, protecting and guiding us, I found strength in my faith and was able to continue moving forward.”

After completing the retreat and receiving baptism, Jiaming will return to his home country. Over the past two years, Minister Joanna of YD Japan has witnessed his continual growth and transformation through the Word of God. May the Lord continue to guide his steps, that he may follow Him faithfully and live out a true and powerful testimony of faith in the days to come. We also ask everyone to keep him in your prayers.

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Please pray for all the Florida mission and the ministers who are working dilligently. Please also pray for Bror and Jared, for continued reflection upon the Word of the Lord everyday.

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During the Easter gathering, members and participants learned various teachings about faith in the Creator, as well as about the sins we have committed-sins of pride and unwillingness to obey God. But thanks be to Jesus Christ, who came to pay the price for the curse, sin, and death that belonged to us.

Therefore, we have all received freedom once again and have been released from the punishment of our wrongdoing. All of this is by the grace and love of God, who gave His only Son to die on the cross to bear the sins of us all.

Now, we are called to proclaim the Gospel and lead others to know the Lord, so that they too may be saved and take part in building the Kingdom of God. Young people, students, and youth are therefore called to diligently learn about God and to faithfully worship Him more steadfastly in this evil age.

Written by Zacchaue Lor 

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Isaiah 37:33
“So this is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria:
‘He will not enter this city,
nor will he shoot an arrow here.
He will not attack it with his shielded warriors,
nor will he build siege works against it.’”

2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

A Deeper Meaning of Strength

A more literal rendering of 2 Corinthians 12:10 brings out a striking emphasis:

“Therefore I take pleasure in being without strength, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in being confined and pressed on every side for Christ’s sake; for when I am without strength, then I am strong.”

Here lies a powerful spiritual truth:
When we come to the end of our own strength, we begin to experience God’s strength.

The Secret of Divine All-Sufficiency

The secret of God’s sufficiency is this:
To reach the end of ourselves—both in our ability and in our circumstances.

When we arrive at this place:

• We no longer seek sympathy for our hardships
• We stop focusing on unfair treatment
• We begin to see difficulties as the very conditions through which God works

Instead of turning inward, we turn to God.
And in our weakness, we discover a deeper claim upon His grace.

— A.B. Simpson

The Testimony of George Matheson

George Matheson, the blind preacher from Scotland, once prayed:

“My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn.
I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorn.
I have been looking forward to a world where I shall receive compensation for my cross;
but I have never thought of my cross as itself a present glory.

Teach me the glory of my cross;
teach me the value of my thorn.
Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain.
Show me that my tears have made my rainbows.”

A Final Reflection

Alas for him who never sees
The stars shine through the cypress trees.

Sometimes, it is only in darkness that we see the stars.
Sometimes, it is only through suffering that we see God’s glory.

Conclusion

Weakness is not the end—it is the beginning of encountering God’s power.
Hardship is not merely something to escape—it is often the very place where God meets us most deeply.

When we are weak, then we are truly strong.

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During this outreach, the team used a direct approach by distributing Easter retreat flyers. Through this activity, they met two families and three young people. Praise God, all of them received the flyers positively.

One of the families who received a flyer asked about the background of the ministry. The team explained that YD Indonesia is part of the Young Disciples Fellowship. Although they did not fully understand at first, after being shown the YD websites, the family gained a clearer understanding and no longer held any negative assumptions about YD Indonesia.

Through this evangelism ministry, YD Indonesia hopes to make the name of God more widely known.

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1 Chronicles 26:27
Out of the spoils won in battle did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord.

Devotional Reflection

Physical force is stored in the bowels of the earth, in the coal mines, which came from the fiery heat that burned up great forests in ancient ages; and so spiritual force is stored in the depths of our being, through the very pain which we cannot understand.

Some day we shall find that the spoils we have won from our trials were just preparing us to become true “Great Hearts” in Pilgrim’s Progress, and to lead our fellow pilgrims triumphantly through trial to the city of the King.

But let us never forget that the source of helping other people must be victorious suffering. The whining, murmuring pang never does anybody any good.

Paul did not carry a cemetery with him, but a chorus of victorious praise; and the harder the trial, the more he trusted and rejoiced, shouting from the very altar of sacrifice. He said:

“Yea, and if I be offered upon the service and sacrifice of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.”

Lord, help me this day to draw strength from all that comes to me!
— Days of Heaven upon Earth

Poem

He placed me in a little cage,
Away from gardens fair;
But I must sing the sweetest songs
Because He placed me there.

Not beat my wings against the cage
If it’s my Maker’s will,
But raise my voice to heaven’s gate
And sing the louder still!

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One Brother shared, “While reflecting on the depth of Paul’s confession, what stood out to me was that rather than focusing on what I can offer to God, it is more important to meditate on what God has already given me. Recently, attending worship felt burdensome, but I came to realize again that being able to come before God in worship itself is grace.”

Another Brother said, “Paul’s identity as a servant of Christ deeply resonated with me. I was led to acknowledge my own limitations and make a renewed commitment to lay down my sinful nature and live as one who belongs to Christ.”

YD Korea stated, “Through these gatherings, precious individuals are continuing to be connected one by one. We ask for prayers that they may be firmly established in the Word and be able to attend the upcoming Easter retreat, so that they can share in God’s grace together.”

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Through this time together, the minister gained a general understanding of her life, and she shared the importance of knowing God. They mainly studied part of Romans 3, and they also prayed together for her younger brother, who has cancer.

What encouraged the preacher was seeing how seriously she took notes during the study. She had also been faithfully taking notes during previous online sessions. She shared that she desires to follow God, recognizing that people need God, and that she hopes to be guided by Him in her life. She is about to graduate from high school and is seeking God’s guidance for her future direction.

They plan to meet again in Hamburg for fellowship, as she really likes that place. May God’s love always surrounds her, protect her, and be with her.

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