Jennifer Hong, Author at Do Not Depart

Jennifer lives in Houston with her husband and four energetic children. After training and working as a pediatrician, Jennifer transitioned to be home full-time and has found life at home to be wild but wonderful. Homeschooling fueled Jennifer‘s passion for education, offering the opportunity to learn, read, and draw alongside her children. Her favorite day is Thursday, when her family escapes their urban surroundings to walk in the woods and dig in the dirt.

May the God of Hope Fill You

February 20, 2020 by Jennifer Hong 2 Comments

This month, we are studying Benedictions of the Bible. Today, we’ll look at Paul’s words of blessing to the Roman church: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).

A friend recently asked for suggestions for a lecture on chronic disease. My first thought was, “Hope. Tell them hope is a huge part of healing.” The 9 years since I developed frequent migraine headaches have been punctuated by seasons of hope and seasons of discouragement. Over the years, my source of hope has shifted.

The Unexpected Relationship Between Suffering and Hope

A few years into this journey, I read about Elisabeth Leseur, who spent her life in physical pain. I was captivated by the sanctifying effect of her suffering. I began frantically flipping through my Bible, finding my way to the fifth chapter of Romans.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

While I had long believed that this season of multiple migraines a week would be limited, my hope began to grow new, deeper roots. There was much goodness to be had in this season of awaiting full healing, and it would mine. “God, may I not escape this season of pain without abundant blessings of spiritual fruit that come through suffering.”

My soul was fed by the promise that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). My hope gathered more strength from the promise that my pain would be redeemed than by the anticipation of its cessation.

Deeply Rooted Hope

When the seven-year mark passed, I grieved that little had substantially changed with respect to my migraines. Spiritually, I found myself drawn to the compassion of Christ towards those who sought healing (Matthew 14:14), and I was awed by the promises Christ makes about prayer (John 14:13).

I never imagined I would still be dealing with this pain nine years later. But over nine years, I have seen hope grow, rather than wither. The roots of my hope, initially fed by “this will surely pass,” deepened into the richer soil of “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The focus of my hope grew from “I hope this pain stops soon,” to “I expect this will not last. Irrespective of how I feel today, I am confident that my path is in the hands of God, entirely sovereign and entirely good, full of compassion and grace. The difficulty of today is a part of something good.”

God of Hope

As Paul expresses in his letter to the Romans, our God is the God of hope, and hope flourishes by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Today, I have not had a migraine in seven weeks. That’s a dramatic change from three headaches a week. I’m reeling in wonder. To step into bright sunshine without the repercussion of pain is a joyful novelty. This new freedom also feels a bit vulnerable. “What if the relief does not last? What if the migraines return?”

In a dry spell last summer, I lost new plants I had added to our landscaping in the spring. Their roots were still superficial, dependent on frequent showers. They had not yet grown sufficiently deep to sustain them through drier periods. My hope is in part fed by superficial roots that feed upon favorable circumstances. Such roots are vulnerable to seasons of drought. However, when the roots of hope reach deeper down to living water from the God of Hope, our hope is not vulnerable to circumstances. That hope flourishes regardless of circumstance.

Irrespective of how I feel tomorrow, I am confident that my path is in the hands of God, entirely sovereign and entirely good, full of compassion and grace. Our God redeems pain.

Does your hope run dry? Receive the joy and peace that God has in store for you.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

Benedictions: Pronouncing God’s Blessings Upon His People

February 4, 2020 by Jennifer Hong 2 Comments

Do you ever wrestle with how to pray for someone? This month we look at benedictions. From the Latin words for “well” and “say,” benedictions convey the goodness God calls us to say over one another. They voice agreement with the blessings God has in store for us, and they are a rich resource for praying for people.

I was many states away when I received an unexpected phone call from my aunt. She had called to tell me that my Nana had become weak, less responsive, and would not be with us much longer. “What is the blessing you say for your kids each night? Would you say that for Nana?” She held the phone up to my grandmother’s ear.

Choking back tears, I managed to say, “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

My bedtime blessing for my children, and for Nana, was taken from one of the first benedictions in the Bible, the blessing God gave the priesthood of Aaron to say over the Israelites (Numbers 6:22-27). It expresses God’s will for His relationship with His people, pronouncing God’s favor over the nation of Israel, later extended to Christian Believers (Galatians 3:7-9).

I think my children sometimes hear these words as, “May God bless you… blah blah blah blah… peace.” The fact that we are all pretty fried by bedtime doesn’t help. I recently researched the Hebrew used in Numbers 6:24-26 and shared with my kids the depth of meaning in these Ancient words.

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

The Lord bless you and keep you. (Numbers 6:24)

The word “keep” here is the Hebrew word “shamar.” It is used to describe Adam’s responsibility to tend the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15), the cherubim’s swords that later guard the tree of life (Genesis 3:24), and the Lord’s assurance to Jacob after he fled his brother’s wrath. “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).

In verse 24, I see the Lord as an attentive gardener, cultivating his plants with nutrients that facilitate their growth and protecting them from harm. My own paraphrase for this verse would be, “May the Lord bestow his favor upon you and keep you close to Himself, protecting you with tender care.”

Illuminate

The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. (Numbers 6:25)

“Panaw,” used in verses 25 and 26, describes a person’s physical face, expression, and gaze. It is also used to describe God’s presence (2 Kings 13:23).

The word for “shine” here is related to the Hebrew word “or,” describing the effect of the sun upon the earth (Genesis 1:15) as well as miraculous provision during the Exodus. “And the pillar of cloud … stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.” This light, in the presence of both darkness and evil, provided protection from both (Exodus 14:20).

Together, these words show God bringing His radiant light to His people by setting them before Himself. In His light, darkness dissipates. I read verse 25, “May God illuminate your life with His presence. May He bless you with unmerited goodness.”

Shalom

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace (Numbers 6:26).

“Shalom” may be one of the most recognized Hebrew words. Though translated “peace,” it conveys more than a restful state or the absence of conflict. Shalom depicts a deep soundness and contented wholeness, an enduring harmony within as well as without. It describes peace with others and peace with God. The reiteration of the word “panaw,” translated here as “countenance,” suggests that it is the face or gaze of the Lord that brings shalom.

Verse 26 could be read, “May He look upon you with grace and give you the enduring peace of wholeness.”

Receiving and Bestowing Grace in Benedictions

When my heart longed for all of God’s comfort and grace for Nana, I was grateful for the words of His tender care that God gave us centuries ago. This month, we’ll look at benedictions in Scripture, to receive their grace and bestow it upon others. Ask the Lord to show you any that you should commit to memory. If your church service includes a benediction at its close, let your heart be attentive. Fully hear and receive the words of blessing. They are rich descriptions of the abundance of life in Christ.

To each of you,

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

Praise God {Intentional Spiritual Growth}

January 23, 2020 by Jennifer Hong 1 Comment

As we reflect on intentional spiritual growth this month, let’s take a closer look at praise. What role does praise play in your daily life?

A year ago, I was leading a woman through prayer at the conclusion of a workshop we’d attended on spiritual and emotional healing. There were so many burdens on Lisa’s heart that she wanted to give to the Lord, but she was stuck. The freedom I had seen in many others over the past few days wasn’t coming to Lisa.

As we sat quietly listening for the leading of the Spirit, one of the workshop facilitators turned on a praise song. After a few moments, Lisa stood up. She began to softly sing the familiar words. Then she raised her hands. At the chorus, she began to march circles around our chairs as she sang.

When the song finished, Lisa returned to her chair beside me. Her face was streaked with tears, but she was ready to continue. We returned to the shame and hurt she had struggled to give over to the Lord. Now, everything had changed. She laid it all at the feet of her Lord and readily received His forgiveness, acceptance, and blessing. It was amazing to see her transformation over the next hour. She walked out of the church with a new peace.

Witnessing the power that followed Lisa’s worship made a profound impression on me. In the months that followed, the Lord began teaching me more about praise.

Praise as Battle Strategy

The role of praise is so significant that it was King Jehoshaphat’s front-line military strategy in a battle described in 2 Chronicles 20. The praise singers were sent out ahead of the army.

This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

…As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
(2 Chronicles 20:15b, 20b-22)

What a great battle cry! “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” Read the last verse again. As they were singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against their enemies. The battle itself was not their responsibility. Worship was.

For the Lord is Good

Why do we praise God? The following verses give a few of the reasons the Bible tells us to praise God.

“Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
(Psalm 100:3-5)

Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord!
For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.
(Jeremiah 20:13)

We proclaim His glory, His goodness, His everlasting love, His righteousness, His faithfulness, His mercy, and His deliverance. In short, we praise God for Who He is and for what He has done. This simple recognition has helped me examine the motives of my heart as I approach the Lord. Apart from intercession, aside from asking anything of God, am I spending substantial time in pure adoration?

Daily Praise

Praise is as vital to our daily walk with God as prayer. As we follow Jesus with intention this year, how can we add more praise to our lives? Following Lisa’s example, I’ve let myself become a bit more vocal and a bit more active in my praise. I moved my quiet reading and writing time from a local coffee shop to our guest room to allow my self to stand, to sing, maybe to dance.

What can you do to make worship a bigger part of your life?
Consider one of these possibilities in the next week:

Sing Psalm 118 with Shane and Shane
Recite or read aloud Psalm 100 as your day begins or before quiet time with the Lord.
Have you ever been on a prayer walk around a neighborhood or a building? Try taking a praise walk. Sing the Lord’s praises through your home. Sing in the kitchen, praise Him in the living room, and declare His goodness in the bedrooms of your home.

Christmas Carols: Joyous Truths and Adoration

December 19, 2019 by Jennifer Hong Leave a Comment

This post continues our series Symbols of Christmas, a look at the symbols that point us to the Biblical truths of Christmas.

The Christmas Eve service is my escape into wonder. Familiar carols and Scripture usher me away from the flurry of festivities and into quiet adoration. “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” my heart joins in worship, “Glory to God in the highest.” Even then, reflective moments are fleeting for this mom of four as my preschooler begs to “help” hold the candle. I send up prayers between verses, “Please God, don’t let us catch the church on fire.”

Hymns for my Harried Heart

In the midst of busy days, hymns and songs of worship are my year-round tool of choice for taking captive my anxious thoughts and focusing my heart on that which is lovely (2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8). I turn to hymns like Come Thou Fount to tune my heart to Biblical truth and to lead me into worship.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Christmas carols do the same, declaring truth and inviting us into wonder and adoration. The distractions of this season are so many and so loud. Of all our Christmas traditions, it is the carols that I reach for when I feel my anxiety rising as life spills over with gift lists and holiday events. In the Advent weeks preceding Christmas, I lean into songs to bring my heart back into focus on our Savior. For the Advent season of anticipation and preparation, my favorite hymn is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Light in the Darkness

As Ali discussed earlier this month, Christmas is the story of light piercing the darkness.

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5)

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” acknowledges the darkness in which we await the light with hope. In contrast to the airy melodies of many Christmas carols, the minor key of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” embodies the weight of its lyrics.

I read a few verses aloud this week and invited my children to hear the elements of both sadness and happiness in each verse.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). Not only with us in eternal glory, He was born into our world and comes to us now, in the midst of our loneliness.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Jesus is the Rod of Jesse, the living shoot from Jesse’s family tree when it was but a stump, no longer with a king on Israel’s throne (Isaiah 11:1). He is victorious over death, triumphantly redeeming his own (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Where all appears lost and dead, Christ brings life.

Each verse names Jesus as our salvation from darkness and then breaks from its yearning melody into bright exclamation, “Rejoice!” While solemn, the hymn is defined by hope, inviting us to rejoice with expectant hope for the promised Savior.

Redeeming Grace

In a few days, our voices will join across heaven and earth, proclaiming the arrival of the Light that dispels all darkness, declaring, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let Earth receive her king!” In the candle-lit sanctuary, between hushed negotiations over who holds the candle, the eyes of my heart will fix upon Jesus, “Son of God, love’s pure light.” His birth, indeed, marks the dawn of redeeming grace. Redeeming grace — that is the story of Christmas.

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from Thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

What Christmas carol are you most drawn to right now?

Which carol speaks needed truth to you?

Play or sing a carol as you fix your eyes on Jesus today. Here’s a list to get you started.

Christmas carols declare truth and invite us into wonder and adoration. They can bring our hearts back into focus on our Savior. #SymbolsOfChristmas

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