January 8, 2021
Dear TCCBC church family,
Greetings in the Lord to you and your family! I have mixed emotions as I write this letter to you. My unsettled emotions were not from who would become the next US president. Rather, it came from seeing protesters storming the halls of the US Capitol where members of Congress were reviewing the Electoral College votes, though they were eventually stopped by the Capitol Police. The untimely incident also caused the need to halt the House and the Senate’s meeting, and moving the vice president and members of the Congress to safety areas to avoid getting attacked or hurt. Unfortunately, a former military lady was shot and was killed, with several others injured and are being treated in hospitals. It was shocking and sad watching this on the TV screen. This incident in the US Congress was unprecedented, yet every bit real.
The Congress resumed the meeting in the evening, with both parties condemning the violence by the rioters. Having seen the violence and looting in the many states since last summer, shops damaged and burned, yet we did not hear these congressional members condemning those illegal acts. On the contrary, many in the Congress regarded these as “justified acts”. But it was somehow different this time around. They considered the “Save America” rally as an organized riot. The House majority leader even claimed that President Trump was the instigator and must be responsible for it. I don’t know if he actually has hard evidence on it. But jumping to conclusion before the truth is known diminishes your dignity.
From the current development, Congress will have certified Joe Biden as the 46th US President by the time you receive this letter. In other words, even continuous legal proceedings may become inconsequential. Because after the inauguration, the US president is protected by the Constitution, and can no longer be summoned or be prosecuted.
It is unclear at this point how President Trump will handle the transition, or if he will pursue other future political interests. It will be difficult to determine right from wrong, accomplishments from mistakes as the election of the president draws to a close. The result may still be upsetting to those who supported President Trump, perhaps even wondering why “good people” were not rewarded while the “wicked” won out. Regardless of whether you supported President Trump or not, I would like to remind you from Pastor Lee’s sermons on Psalm 73, especially those from the Mandarin and Cantonese congregations, that you do not lose faith in God from what you may consider as “injustice”. We must continue to learn on how to enter the “sanctuary of God” and trust in Him. Trust Him as the Judge in the ultimate end. And when the final judgment comes, God will set the wicked on “slippery places”, and their end is being “cast down to destruction”. What they had seized will be “destroyed”, “utterly swept away by sudden terrors” by the hand of God. We may not have sufficient wisdom to discern clearly the good from the wicked, but who can escape the judgment from God’s eyes? From God’s Word, “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Matthew 10:26) “For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14) President Trump’s 4-year term will come to pass, and become a part of history. President Biden will show his leadership to the country in the next four years. Whether the US will strengthen or weaken in the future will be evaluated by future generations. But with the scouring and settling of the years, the historical truth will eventually become clear. Their eventual place in history will also result in either people’s gratitude or despise. Returning to the exhortation from Psalm 73:28, “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.”
I also want to take this opportunity to share a YouTube video with you. This is from a speech at the Federalist Society’s Annual Convention on 11/12/2020 by Hon. Samuel Alito, one of the Supreme Court justices. It was an alarming reminder that what the American society is losing is not only freedom of religion, freedom of speech is also greatly restricted. It’s worth watching and savoring his heartfelt words.
Following the confirmation and inauguration of the President of the United States, we are hopeful that the pandemic in the United States will come under control from the start of vaccine immunization. Please pray that God will enable us to return to the church for in person meetings shortly, and have more opportunities to serve together for the sake of the gospel.
If you have not returned your completed ballot to the church, please do so and ensure that your ballot arrives at the church by Jan 15. I can suggest that you mail the ballot back to the church by next Monday, Jan 11, using the return mail envelope.
The weather is expected to remain cold for the rest of this month. Please pay attention to your health, keep warm, and if there is anything that we can assist you on, please contact one of the deacons or the church council members.
“But as for me, I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off, But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.” (Psalms 75:9-10)
Praying earnestly for the country with you,
Job Lee
Pastor Job Lee, Senior Pastor
With fellow church leadership team
Comments are closed.